
T.^.DENISON & COHPANY CHICAdO; 



e 






{^- 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free^ 
Price 15c each. Postpaid^ Unless Different Price Is Given 



DRAMAS, COMEDIES, 
ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. 

M. F. 

Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 

acts, 21^ hrs (25c) 8 8 

After the Game, 2 acts, 1 % 

hrs (25c) 1 9 

All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 4 4 

American Hustler, 4 acts, 2^ 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Arabian Nights, 3 acts, 2 hrs, 4 5 
As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 

21^ hrs (25c) 9 7 

At the End of the Rainbow, 3 

acts, 2]^ hrs (25c) 6 14 

Bank Cashier, 4 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 8 4 

Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 9 3 

Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2J4 

hrs (25c) 7 3 

Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Burns Rebellion, 1 hr (25c) 8 5 

Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

/25c) 7 4 

Colleg'e Town, * * 3*' a'cVs,* * * 2 J4 

hrs. ..,,. ..,.(25c) 9 8 

Corner Drug Store, 1 hr. 

(25c) 17 14 

Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs.. 7 4 
Daughter of the Desert, 4 

acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 4 

Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2'/^ 

hrs v'25c) 8 4 

Dream That Came True, 3 

acts, 214 hrs (25c) 6 13 

Editor-in-Chiei, 1 hr (25c) 10 

Enchanted Wood, IM h.(35c).Optnl. 
Everyyouth, 3 acts, IJ^ hrs. 

(25c) 7 6 

Face at the Window, 6 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 4 4 

Fascinators, 40 min (25c) 13 

Fun on the Podunk Limited, 

Wz hrs (25c) 9 14 

Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 8 4 

High School Freshman, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 12 

Honor of a Cowboy, 4 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 13 4 

Indian Days, 1 hr (50c) 5 2 

In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2]/^ 

hrs (25c) 6 4 

Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs. . (25c) 5 4 
Jayville Junction, 1*^ hrs. (25c) 14 17 
Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 

acts, 214 hrs (25c) 6 12 

Lexington, 4 acts, 2J4 h..(25c) 9 4 



M. F. 

Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) ' 10 

Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Lodge of Kye TyeSj^ 1 hr. (25c)13 
Lonelyville Social Club, 3 acts, 

iVi hrs (25c) 10 

Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 5 2 

Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 214 

hrs (25c) 9 5 

Mirandy's Minstrels. ... (25c) Optnl. 
New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr.... 3 6 
Old Maid's Club, 1}^ hrs. (25c) 2 16 
Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c> 8 6 

Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 

1% hrs (25c) 12 9 

On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 

21^ hrs (25c) 10 4 

Out in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 hr. 6 4 
Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. 

(25c) 7 4 

Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 10 12 

School Ma'am, 4 acts, 1^ hrs. 6 5 
Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs. . 6 6 
Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2^2 h. 8 3 
Southern Cinderella, 3 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 

Third Degree, 40 min (25c) 12 

Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 

2 hrs (25c) 6 4 

Tony, The Convict, 5 acts, 25^ 

hrs (25c) 7 4 

Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h.(25c) 6 4 
Town Marshal, 4 acts, 2% 

hrs (25c) 6 3 

Trip to Storyland, 1^4 hrs. (25c) 17 ?3 
Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 214 hrs. (25c) 8 3 
Under Blue Skies, 4 acts, 2 

hrs (25c) 7 10 

Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 
When the Circus Came to 

Town. 3 acts, 21/4. hrs. (25c) 5 3 
Women Who Did, 1 hr...(25c) 17 
Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 

FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. 

April Fools, 30 min 3 

Assessor, The, 10 min 3 2 

Baby Show at Pirteville, 20 min. 19 

Bad Job, 30 min 3 2 

Betsy Baker, 45 min 2 2 

Billy's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 

Billy's Mishap, 20 min. ...... 2 3 

Borrowed Luncheon, -20 min.. 5 

Borrowing Trouble, 20 min .... 3 5 

Box and Cox, 35 min 2 1 

Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 
Convention of Papas, 25 min.. 7 

Country Justice, 15 min 8 

Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 



T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers, 154 W. Randolph St. , Chicago 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN 

COMEDY-DRAMA IN TWO ACTS 
For Fifteen Girls 



BY 

WALTER BEN HARE 

AUTHOR OF 
'Aaron Boggs, Freshman;' "Civil Service;' "A College Town; 
"The Fascinators;' "Kicked Out of College;' "Laughing Water;' 
"A Poor Married Man;' "Macbeth a la Mode;' "Mrs. 
Tubbs of Shantytown;' "Parlor Matches;' "Rose o' My 
Heart;' "A Rustic Romeo;' "Sewing for the Hea- 
then;' "A Southern Cinderella;' "Savageland;' 
Etc., Etc. 




CHICAGO 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY 

Publishers 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN 

CHARACTERS. 

Madam Masago {Morning Glory) 

The Manager of the Plaxers 

Ono Her Maid of All Work 

Porters, Musicians. 



CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY. 

Abbu San Daughter of His Majesty 

The Duchess Fuji-no. . . .Second Cousin of His Majesty 

Lady Yu-giri (Mist of the Evening) Her Daughter 

O Matsuka San. ) ^^-^^ r ^^^^^^, ^^ ^^^ Princess 

O KiKu San j ^ 

Ohano Wife of Junzo, the Bandit Chief 

Natsu-no Hostess of the Inn "Million Welcomes" 

Okuku Sister of the Ox, a Porter at the Inn 

Umi...^ 

Sada . . . [■ Three Little Peasant Maids 

Yasa.. J 

Miss Henrietta Dash An American Newszvriter 

Aunt Paradise A Black Mammy from ''Ole Virginny" 

Court Ladies, Peasant Maids, Etc. 

Act L Palace in the Imperial City. 

Act II. Court-yard of an Inn in the Hill Country. 

Time — During the Annual Chrysanthemum Fete. 

Place — In Old Japan. 

Time of Playing — About Tzvo Hours. 

Note:— This play has been successfully presented without any 
of the Mikado music, but the songs and dances add greatly to the 
general effect. 

copyright, 1916, BY EBEN H. NORRIS. 
2 

FEB 25 1916 ©\Jl.D 43135 



'^U) 



P535I5 

A -/I^-ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 3 

icl i Cf Music in the Production. 

i 

1. Chorus of Court Ladies. Matsuka, Kiku and Court 
Ladies. From Mikado, Act L 

2. He's Going to Marry Yun>Yum. Matsuka and La- 
dies. From Mikado, finale to Act L 

3. The Sun and L Soprano Solo by Abbu San. From 
Mikado, Act IL 

4. The Slumber Boat. Solo by Matsuka. Music by 
Jessie L. Gaynor. Price, 25 cents. 

5. The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring. Chorus. 
Mikado, Act IL 

6. Ensemble Song. Abbu, Kiku, Matsuka, Yu-giri and 
Natsu-no. From Mikado, Act L 

7. Three Little Maids from School. Trio. Abbu, Kiku 
and Matsuka. From Mikado, Act L 

8. Finale. From Mikado, Act IL 



THE STORY OF THE PLAY. 

Abbu San is a royal Princess in old Japan, the only daugh- 
ter of the Emperor. She is a bright, happy child of nature 
and beloved by all the ladies of her court except a distant 
relative, Mist of the Evening, who is jealous of the popu- 
larity of the pretty little Princess. Mist of the Evening is 
engaged to marry the Baron Ito and is much incensed when 
the Princess permits the Baron to dance with her at the royal 
ball. The next day two of the court favorites, with whom 
Mist of the Evening is somewhat unpopular, falsely an- 
nounce that Ito has jilted his fiancee and has decided to 
propose to the Princess. 

Abbu San herself unconsciously lends color to the story 
by stating that she is soon to be betrothed, but not saying 
to whom. Mist of the Evening, furiously jealous, flies to 
her mother, the regal Duchess Fuji-no, who is almost beside 
herself at the imagined afifront offered to her imperial house- 
hold. She determines to rid her daughter of the Princess, 
who is about to visit the hill country to attend the annual 
chrysanthemum fete. 



4 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Abbu San with her three favorite attendants sail down 
the river to the hill country, and at the suggestion of the 
Princess they intend to compete with the village maids for 
the honor of being chosen queen of the fete. To do this 
Abbu San and two of the maids dress as peasants. Mist 
of the Evening, however, does not care to masquerade, and 
so retains her court garments. The convict woman, intent 
on abducting the Princess, arrives at the fete disguised as 
a peddler. Seeing only one lady in court garments, she 
naturally supposes she is the Princess and abducts Mist of 
the Evening. 

In the meantime the Duchess at Tokyo learns that Ito 
is still faithful to her daughter and hurries to the hill 
country to save the Princess from the hands of the convict 
woman. Imagine her consternation when she learns that 
her own daughter has fallen a victim of the mother's du- 
plicity. All ends happily, however, as Mist of the Evening 
is rescued by a vahant porter woman, who for this deed is 
chosen queen of the chrysanthemum fete. 

Comedy is furnished by Miss Dash, an American news- 
writer and her black mammy, old Aunt Paradise, who "don't 
like dis here old Japan" and longs for "Ole Virginny." 



SYNOPSIS FOR PROGRAM. 

Act I. An apartment of the Princess in the royal palace 
at Tokyo. Gossip of the court ladies. The jealousy of the 
Lady Yu-giri. The Princess enters from the hyacinth gar- 
dens and announces her approaching engagement. Miss 
Henrietta Dash and her black mammy from Old Virginia 
visit the imperial palace. Aunt Paradise is to be presented 
at court. "I don't hke dat word court. I's jest naturally 
suspicious ob anything dat sounds like a policeman." Aunt 
Paradise expresses her contempt for kimonos. "Looks to 
me hke dey all runnin' 'round dressed in nightgowns." 
Court geishas entertain the Americans with parasol dance. 

Scene 11. A room in the palace of the Duchess Fuji-no. 
The Duchess resents an imagined affront to her daughter 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. S 

and plans vengeance on the Princess. "She shall plead with 
me for mercy, but Fuji-no knows no mercy. I live but 
for revenge, revenge!" 

Scene III. A prison cell. The Duchess plots with the 
wife of the bandit to abduct the Princess. 

Scene IV. A boat floating down the river. The Princess 
goes to attend the fete of chrysanthemums in the hill coun- 
try. Slumber boat. 

Act II. Garden of the Inn of a Million Welcomes in the 
hill country. The revels of the village maidens. The court 
ladies masquerade as peasant maids. The hostess of the 
inn and her wonderful porter woman, Okuku. Henrietta 
and Aunt Paradise arrive for the fete. 'T certainly wishes 
I was back in dat good old Richmond, Virginny." The con- 
vict woman mistakes Yu-giri for the Princess and abducts 
her. The village maidens mock the court ladies. The 
Duchess arrives to save the Princess, but learns that her 
own daughter has fallen into the hands of the bandits. Yu- 
giri is rescued by the porter woman. The crowning of 
Okuku. Happy ending: The Flowers that Bloom in the 
Spring. 



COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS. 

The chief costume of the Japanese woman is the kimono 
(accent on the first syllable), an outer garment, padded at 
bottom, made of soft clinging cloth ornamented with Japa- 
nese figures. The back has no seams and the front is open 
front top to bottom, sloping outward below the waist to 
show underskirt made very narrow and of contrasting color. 
Neck of kimono is cut V-shaped, the sleeves loose and end 
in long lined bags. 

The obi is a wide sash passed twice around waist and 
gathered behind in butterfly bow. 

Hair arranged in pompadour style, the back hair brought 
high on head and ornamented with pins and fans. 

Surround the eyelashes with two fine lines penciled black. 



6 ADBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

continuing outward and curving slightly upward, meeting 
just beyond the corner of the eye. 

Masago — Purple and lavender kimono, two drooping wis- 
taria blossoms in front of ears. Fan. Gray hair. Gold pins 
in hair. 

Ono — Rough gray men's socks with big toe separated. 
Blue denim trousers bound around ankle. Blue denim pa- 
jama coat with frogs. Black skull cap with, red button. 

Court Ladies — Rich kimonos or mandarin coats. Flow- 
ers in hair. (Abbu wears only golden pins in hair.) Fans, 
etc. 

Ohano, Okuku mid Porters wear costumes similar to 
Ono. Porters and Okuku wear conical straw hats cov- 
ered wilh dried grass. 

Peasant Maids and Natsu-no — Simple kimonos, chrys- 
anthemums in hair. Fans. 

Fuji-no. White hair, large horn spectacles. Rich robe. 

Henrietta — Tan traveling costume, green vest, tan hat 
with green quill. Note book. 

Paradise — Black face and gloves. Woolly wig. Black and 
white check calico dress. Red vest. Alpine hat with red 
quill. Small traveling, bag. Should be very stout. 

Okuku and Porters should be played by very tall girls. 

Natsu-no should be small and plump and so* should 
Kiku. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R. means right of the stage ; C, center ; R. C, right cen- 
ter ; /.., left; 1 E., first entrance; U . E., upper entrance; 
R. 3 E., right entrance up stage, etc.; R. D., right door; 
L. D., left door, etc. ; up stage, away from foothghts ; down 
stage, near footlights. The actor is supposed to be facing 
the audience. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN 



Introduction. 

Scene I: Front curtains are dozen. Small stools at ex- 
treme R. and L. in front of curtains. Gong and gong-stick 
07?. stool at L. Vase containing one spray of cherry blos^ 
soms on stool at R. 

Enter Ono from behind curtains. She pays no attention 
to the audience but turns her back and arranges the drapery 
of the curtains. Ono throughout the play acts bored and 
slightly disdainful, performing her duties lazily and zvith 
an. impassive face. She proceeds lazily to bench at R., 
arranges blossoms, steps back, regards her work, rearranges 
flowers. Looks at audience, yazvns, crosses to bench at L. 
Takes gong and strikes it once lazily. Replaces it, crosses 
to L, and exits lazily. 

Enter Masago from behind curtains. She poses with 
arms gracefully uplifted in front of curtains. Comes for- 
zvard to C. and smiles at audience. 

Masago. Honorable audience, I bow. {Bozvs to R.) 
Gracefully I salute you, (Bozvs to L.) Augustly I em- 
brace you. (Bozvs to C.) For the edification of your es- 
timable understandings, allow me, in my simple Japanese 
manner, to introduce my worthy self. I am O Masago San, 
proprietor and manager of this band of play-acting sisters. 
It is my illustrious duty to brush from your august minds 
the clouds that would otherwise mar your appreciation of 
our unworthy performance. I shall explain to you the in- 
tricate story of our play in simple w^ords, so that your hon- 
orable intellects may intelligently follow the story. I tell 
you when to laugh, I tell you when to weep, I tell you when 
to applaud. 

Our unworthy performance concerns the trials and tribu- 
lations that beset the exalted Princess Abbu San. You shall 

7 



-8 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

see the plotting of villainous Duchess Fuji-no. You shall 
shudder with apprehension at her unworthy mischief-mak- 
ing and at the perils that surround our heroine, the most 
lovely Abbu San. But to overcome your trepidation I tell 
you at once that virtue and modesty are triumphant in the 
end and that villainy is augustly overcome. (Raps fan on 
zvrist, enter Ono from L.) This one, honorable audience, 
is maid-of-all-work, Ono of the Plastic Countenance. To 
your eyes she is intensely invisible. (On) crosses to R. 
lazily.) My introduction is completed. The play begins. 
{Motions to Ono, ivho strikes gong tivice and then exits 
at R.) It is a room of the exalted Princess in the sun-kissed 
royal palace. Her two favorite maids of honor, O Matsuka 
San and O Kiku San, are chatting in the sun parlor of her 
exalted highness. The sun palace ! 

Act I. 

The front curtains are raised, disclosing a screened room. 
Large square pillozvs are on the floor. Japanese wall banner 
is seen at rear. Small table at rear C. supports vase contain- 
ing one long spray of cherry blossoms. Four Musicians 
are seated on mats. Tzvo dozvn R. and tivo dozvn L. zvith 
instruments (made of red painted cigar boxes with Jong 
necks.) Matsuka and Kiku are seated R. C. and L. C. 
The Musicians pantomime playing. {Real music comes 
from mandolins , guitars and flutes behind scenes.) 

Masago crosses to L. front, raps zvith fan. Ono enters 
carrying cushion. Masago sits on cushion at extreme L. 
front. Exit Ono. 

Matsuka {rises, comes C. and bozvs to audience). I am, 
honorable audience, O Matsuka San, of the little foot and 
winsome manners. Beloved am I of her imperial highness, 
and her favorite maid of honor. I honorably salute. {Bozvs 
and resumes position at R. C.) 

Masago {seated L.). The court ladies come to greet the 
exalted Princess. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 9 

Music. Matsuka and Kiku rise, enter chorus of court 
ladies zvith fans singing. They form a line, single file, led 
by Kiku and Matsuka, and daintily trip in serpentine 
fashion around the stage as they sing. 

Chorus of Court Ladies 
(Sung to the tune of 'Thorns of Girls/' Act I, Mikado.) 
Comes a train of little ladies, 

From imperial trammels free. 
Each a little bit afraid is 

Wond'ring what the world can be? 
Is it but a world of trouble — 

Sadness set to song? 
Is its beauty but a bubble 

Bound to break ere long? 
Are its palaces and pleasures 

Phantasies that fade, 
And the glory of its treasures 
Shadow of a shade? 

(Dancing zvith fans.) 
Maidens we, eighteen and under, 
From imperial trammels free, 
And we wonder, how we wonder, 
What on earth the world can be. 
(At end of song all pose, then assume seats on mats, 
Kiku and Matsuka at L. C. and R. C.) 

Kiku. Hath the Princess summoned you today, O Mat- 
suka San? • 1 1 • 1 XT 
Matsuka. I have not seen her mipenal highness. iNo 

word hath come from her august chamber. 

Kiku. I wonder where she is 

Matsuka. Who knows. The estimable hummmg bird 
tarries by a flower a moment, and the next he is among the 
clouds ; the illustrious kingfisher is seen for a second, and 
the next he is on the wing. Our Princess, the adorable 
Abbu San, is more lively than estimable humming bird, more 
vivacious than illustrious kingfisher. Who shall say where 
she keeps her exalted presence? 



10 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

KiKU. And our august cousin, the Lady Yu-giri, sleeps 
late. 

Matsuka. Draw closer. A bit of gossip. (All bend 
toward her.) Mayhap she is wetting her pillow with hon- 
orable tears? 

KiKu. Tears? Yu-giri, the proudest lady in all Japan, 
in tears? 

Matsuka. The Baron Ito was not overly attentive at the 
ball last night. 

KiKU. I, too, noticed it. When the sun shines no one 
thinks of looking at the stars. 

Matsuka. The Princess allowed him to dance with her ! 

All (shocked). Oh! 

Matsuka. And he had already fastened the sprig of 
lime on Yu-giri's door. 

KiKu. But our beloved Yum-Yum would not deign to 
look at Ito as a suitor. 

Matsuka. Assuredly not. But Yu-giri does not know 
that. She is unreasonably jealous. She reigned supreme 
until our Princess returned from the University, and now, 
now there is only one sun in the heavens. 

KiKu. And Ito is dazzled by it. At the ball last night 
Yu-giri twice approached him in a most unmaidenly fashion, 
but he eluded her to dance with our Abbu San. Great was 
my honorable laughter! The Lady Yu-giri hath too stiff a 
back for the unworthy insignificance of ntyself. 

Matsuka. If Yu-giri is jealous of her Ito it is but the 
racing of black clouds in her exalted imagination. His Im- 
perial Majesty has other plans for our beloved Princess. 
Yu-giri is safe with her little Ito. 

KiKu. And yet all bees flock to the honey pot. I thank . 
the gods no sprig of lime has been attached to my unworthy 
door. No man has won my maiden affections. 

Matsuka (looking R.). Poke a cane-brake, out flies a 
snake. The jealous Lady Yu-giri approaches, as a black 
cloud scuds across the snow-tipped Fugiyama. 

Masago (rises and announces clearly). The Lady Yu- 
giri. (Strikes gong once.) 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 11 

Enter Yu-giri from R. She eomes dcnvn C. haughtily and 
surveys audience. 

Yu-GiRi {addressing audience). I will state for your en- 
lightenment, O audience of little understanding, that I am 
the Lady Yu-giri, of most exalted rank, only daughter of 
the widowed Duchess Fuji-no, second cousin to His Maj- 
esty. I would greet you with ceremonial bow, but I feel it 
is beneath my dignity so to do. Consider yourself so greeted. 
(Steps back a little and speaks to Kiku.) Hai, O Kiku 
San, I greet thee. And thee, Matsuka San. (Sits at C, 
speaks disdainfully.) And where is our effervescent Prin- 
cess Yum Yum Abbu San this morning ? . Learning a new 
dance step from the court geishas, or seeking enlightenment 
from the barbarian dressmaker who tries to compass our 
little forms in steel bondage? 

Matsuka (rises indignantly) . Lady Yu-giri, you forget 
yourself. In dishonorable jealousy and heartbreak, the pas- 
sion speaks wdien the mind should bid it be silent. 

Yu-giri (rises). O Matsuka San, you are speaking to 
Yu-giri of exalted rank. Remember the dift'erence between 
our stations. 

Matsuka. It is a crime of treason for you to speak 
with disrespect of a royal Princess. 

Yu-giri (sarcastically). Matsuka San, of renowed cour- 
tesy, forgive. Well versed am I in court etiquette and need 
no instruction from one of lower degree than my unworthv 
self. 

Kiku (rises). Lady Yu-giri, Matsuka San, let us have 
estimable peace. It is too warm for dissension this morn- 
ing. Honorably hearken to unworthy Kiku and waste no 
more perfumed air in argument. 

Yu-giri. Since the lime has been left at my mother's 
door and a suitor comes to woo, other maids less favored 
are filled with envy. 

Matsuka. Forgive unworthy questioning. Lady Yu-giri, 
but it is whispered among the court that the sprig of lime 
has been basely removed from the honorable door of your 
august mother. 



12 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Yu-GiRi (a7z^n73'). You dare? May black clouds swallow 
thee, unworthy Matsuka vSan, for presuming to insult a 
daughter of the Imperial Court. My revered mother shall 
hear of this. 

Matsuka. I should honorably worry. It is whispered, 
adorable Yu-giri, that the Baron Ito is dazzled by the sun, 
and that the poor, little, insignificant star is to be deserted 
for a more august rival. 

Yu-GiRi. Oh! It is untrue. A jealous maid hath no re- 
gard for the gods. And you have never had a suitor. (Cross 
to R.) The Baron Ito is augustly faithful. 

Matsuka (crosses to her). Is he? An honorable little 
bird has whispered other words to the court. And as for 
the august little Ito — 

(Music cue.) 

He's Goixg to Marry Yum- Yum. 
(From Finale, Act I, Mikado.) 

(Matsuka ad7'ances to Yu-giri, extends fan suddenly 
and sings pertly to Yu-giri.) 

Matsuka. Why, he's going to marry Yum- Yum, 

Maids. Yum- Yum ! 

Matsuka. Your anger pray bury, 

For all will be merry, 

I think you had better succumb. 
Maids. Come, come ! 
Matsuka. And join our expression of glee. 

On the subject I pray you be dumb 
Maids. Dumb, dumb! 
Matsuka. You'll find there are many 

Who'd wed for a penny, 

The word for your guidance is ''Muni!" 
Maids. Mum, mum ! 
Matsuka. There's lots of good fish in the sea. 

Yu-GiRi (in tears). O grief making! It is not so! The 
august Ito is true to me. He would not dishonorably for- 
sake for all the exalted princesses in the world. (Recovers 
herself.) Matsuka San, your unworthy insolence shall be 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 13 

reported to her exalted highness. Permit me to gracefully 
withdraw from the stifling atmosphere of your honorable 
presence. 

KiKU. The air is filled with the approach of some one. 
{Looks L.) It is she. Our gracious mistress, the Princess 
Abbu San. {All kneel.) 

Masago {rises and announces clearly). The Princess 
approaches. 

Enter from L. and R. the tzvo Porters bearing red ban- 
ners with a white circle in center. They stand at rear L. C. 
and R. C. 

Porters {announcing loudly). Her Royal and Imperial 
Highness, the Daughter of the Sun, O Abbu San! {Cym- 
bals crash.) 

{Music. The maidens all kneel, touching foreheads to 
floor.) 

Enter from L. Abbu, her arms full of long-stemmed 
chrysanthemums. She comes down C. and sings. 

The Sun and I. 
{From Act II of Mikado.) 
Abbu. The sun whose rays are all ablaze 
With ever-living glory, 
Does not deny his majesty, 
He scorns to tell a story. 
He don't exclaim, 'T blush for shame, 

So kindly be indulgent," 
But fierce and bold, in fiery gold, 
He glories all effulgent. 

I mean to rule the earth. 

As he the sky. 
We really know our worth, 
The sun and I. 

Observe his flame, that placid dame. 

The moon's celestial highness ; 
There's not a trace upon her face 

Of difBdence or shyness ; 



14 ' ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

She borrows light that through the night 

Mankind may all acclaim her, 
And, truth to tell, she lights up well, 
So I, for one, don't blame her. 
Ah, pray make no mistake, 

We are not shy ; 
We're very wide awake, 
The moon and I. 

AisBU. Arise, my maidens, don't be uncomfortable while 
I tell this honorable audience who I am. Probably you al- 
ready know that I am the Princess Abbu San, the most 
important personage in this play. Here in my sun-kissed 
palace I welcome you with ceremonial bow. Pray do not 
think that because I am a Princess, I am proud and haughty, 
hedged in by imperial mannerisms and the ceremony of the 
court. Really, I am very simple and I am called Yum- 
Yum, the madcap Princess, by all my retainers. Of course 
they only do this behind my back, but in truth, honorable 
audience, they have just reason for calling me Yum-Yum, 
the madcap. I am the only child of His Majesty and have 
been petted and spoiled all my life. But nevertheless I am 
as gay as the honorable kingfisher. Worries and cares I 
know not. But all this you shall see as the play progresses. 
I hope I am not boring you, but a Princess may take some 
liberties, you know. So, honorably excuse and take me 
into the crevices of your hearts and love me as the heroine 
of a play should be loved. Again I salute with ceremonial 
bow. 

KiKu. O Princess, you have deigned to keep your august 
presence from us this morning. Dark clouds have reigned 
in the palace awaiting the sunlight of your exalted entrance. 

Abbu. I have been wandering in the hyacinth gardens, 
where the white jasmine fills the air with fragrance for my 
painted nostrils. I have played hide-and-seek with the illus- 
trious sunbeams. I rode my horse thrice around the ven- 
erated city. I arose with the dawn and great has been my 
honorable sport. 

Matsuka. Do you give exalted audience this morning, 
O Abbu San? 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 15 

Abbu. I do. And whom do you think is honored guest? 
{Draws Matsuka and Kiku to her, others surround thein.) 
An honorable barbarian lady from far-away America. 
(Takes calling card from sash.) Mees Henrietta Dash, 
Richmond, Virginia. Newspaper correspondent, represent- 
ing the Richmond Sun. 
Vu-GiRi. And what, O Princess, is the Richmond Sun. 

Abbu. I know not. Perhaps it is a newspapef. She 
comes bearing letters of introduction from the American 
minister. It may be that she will put us in an honorable 
novel-book. 

All (delighted). Oh! (Clasp hands.) 

Yu-GiRi. I do not desire to be put in honorable novel- 
book. My dignity — 

Abbu. Cousin Yu-giri, you are too decorous. Unbend, 
exalted cousin, unbend. 

Yu-RiRi (bozving very low). I honorably obey. I un- 
bend. 

Abbu (laughs merrily). She unbends ! Forgive discour- 
teous laughter. Mist of the Evening. I fear you lack hon- 
orable sense of humor. (To Maids.) We give but brief 
audience to this honorable barbarian newspaper lady. After 
that we will revert to honorable childhood again. We will 
tly kites and shoot arrows. We will ride and dance and 
sing. Today and tomorrow shall be mine own. After that — 
(Sighs.) 

Matsuka. What worries my Princess? 

Abbu. I shall disclose a secret. Gather round. Come 
closer. I have said that today and tomorrow are mine own. 
After that — (pauses). 

All. After that, your highness? 

Abbu. I shall no longer be mine own mistress. 

Matsuka. Your honorable meaning? 

Abbu. Two nights from now His Imperial Majesty will 
give a state ball. And at that exalted ball His Majesty an- 
nounces the engagement of poor little Abbu San. 

Yu-GiRi (gasps). Amairu aid me! 

Abbu. Today I am a little child. Tomorrow a giddy 
maid. The next dav, how short a time, I am fiancee. So 



16 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

runs the world away. The sprig of lime awaits to adorn 
the door of the imperial palace. 

Yu-GiRi (lozu moan). No, no! (Staggers.) 

Abbu. Yu-giri, cousin ! You are unwell. 

Yu-GiRi, A sudden faintness. It will pass. Permit me 
to withdraw. 

Abbu. At once. The ball last night was over-strenuous. 
Take her to her apartments. Rest dear cousin ; soon I'll 
come to you. 

Yu-GiRi. It will pass. Excuse. (Maid leads her out 
at L.) 

Matsuka. The Lady Yu-giri has honorable l^eart-break. 
Oh, grief-making. 
' Abbu. Great is my solicitation. 

KiKu {looking ojf up R.). Exalted Princess, the esti- 
mable barbarian is approaching the palace. 

Abbu. Kiku, of august courtesy, you receive her. We 
shall soon appear. (Soft music: Yankee Doodle.) We go 
to make exalted toilet to honor barbarian lady. Come, my 
maidens. (Exit L., followed by all save Kiku.) 

Masago (rises and announces). Mees Henrietta Dash, 
an American tourist and newspaper correspondent, accom- 
panied by black serving maid, approaches imperial palace. 
(Sits and embroiders.) 

Kiku. I welcome honorable barbarian. (Exit R.) 

Music: Yankee Doodle, louder. Enter from R., Kiku, 
backing in and bozving, then Henrietta, looking around 
and making notes. Finally Aunt Paradise, much ex- 
hausted, puffing and blowing, fanning herself vigorously. 

Kiku. Welcome — a thousand welcomes to imperial pal- 
ace of her exalted highness, the Princess Abbu San. She 
bids me unworthily state that she will give audience in few 
fleeting seconds. I beg leave to inform her highness of your 
august approach. 

Henrietta. Thank you, Miss — (hesitates). 

Kiku. My unworthy name is Kiku, meaning chrysan- 
themum flower. 

Henrietta. Thank you, Miss Kiku. I am honored. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 17 

KiKU. I pray you, excuse. (Bows and backs out L.) 

Henrietta. Well, here we are, Aunt Paradise, in the 
court of a royal Princess. Are you properly impressed? 

Aunt P. Impressed? I'm so much impressed dat I can't 
draw ma breff. Lawsy, Miss 'Retta. I don't like dis yere 
place a-tall. Dis colored lady sure wishes she were back in 
ole Virginny. She sure does. 

Henrietta. The idea, Aunt Paradise ! Why, home was 
never like this. 

Aunt P. No'm, home ain't nuffin' like dis, and I'se 
mighty glad and thankful dat it hain't. Don't hab no 
knives ner forkses, but eb'rybody has to eat wif a couple 
little sticks. And what does dey eat? Answer me dat? 
What does dey eat? I'se et so much rice and tea dat I'se 
black in de face. And some ob dere mixings. Lawd only 
knows what is in 'em. I jes' has to shet ma eyes and take 
'em on faith. I'd gib 'leven thousand dollars for about fif- 
teen slices of ole Virginny peanut-fed ham wif sugared 
yams on de side. 

Henrietta, Yes, but think of the experiences you are 
having. You can tell all your friends all about Japan when 
you get home. 

Aunt P. Yas'm, when I gets home I can, if I ever gets 
dere. But if dey rides me around in any more ob dese yere 
gin-rickeys, I know I'll neber see ole Virginny again. I 
nebber was so shook up in all ma born days. Think ob it. 
Me, a 'spectable colored lady ob de Baptist persuasion, 
ridin' 'round in a big baby-carriage, pulled by one ob dese 
yere no-count Japanese mulattoes. I don't like yaller folks 
nohow. I likes 'em white, and I likes 'em black ; but dis yere 
yaller nebber did appeal to ma sense ob de beautiful. 

Henrietta (looking around making notes). And just 
think, Aunt Paradise, this morning you are to be presented 
at court. 

Aunt P. (blinking). Presented at court? (Belliger- 
ently.) Who is? Who is? 

Henrietta. Why, you are — and so am I. We both are. 

Aunt P, De last time I was presented at court, de judge 



18 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

gib ma sister's husband's oldest offspring about sixty days 
on de rock-pile. 

Henrietta (laughs). You don't understand. I mean, 
you are to meet the Princess. You comprehend that, don't 
you? 

Aunt P. Yas'm, yas'm, I comprehends it all right, but I 
don't know what you means, dat's all. 

PIenrietta. The Princess is the daughter of the Queen. 
You know what a Queen is, don't you? 

AvNT F. (laughs loudly). Yas'm. Yas ma'am. I knows 
what a queen is. Ace, king, queen, jack. De queen beats 
a jack. 

Henrietta. No, no. This Princess is a lady surrounded 
by her court. 

Aunt P. I don't like dat word court. I'se jest naturally 
suspicious of anything dat sounds like a policeman. 

Henrietta (making notes). And the people are so 
charming, so naive. Pve written six articles for the Rich- 
mond Sun on the Manners and Customs of the Japanese. 
(Looks around.) And the simplicity of their homes is 
charming. 

Aunt P. (looks around). Lawsy massy. Miss 'Retta, 
dere homes is perfectly scandalious. What does dey sit on ? 
Dey ain't even got no chairs. Dey jes' sits like a toad on 
de floor — and dat certainly ain't dignified. Why, every time 
I sets down in Japan, I jes' naturally loses ma jurispru- 
dence. 

Henrietta. And their soft-tinted, embroidered kimo- 
nos. Their native costumes are the most comfortable things 
in the world. 

Aunt P. I don't like dese yere kimonos either. When 
I see a bunch ob dese Japaneeses runnin' around, looks to 
me like dey all dressed in night-gowns. And de men is jes' 
as bad as de women. Can't tell which is which. Every 
time I see one ob dem Japan men I feels like sayin' ''Go on 
home, man ; git back in de bed and pull de covers up over 
you !" 

Henrietta (laughs). Why, Aunt Paradise! 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 19 

Aunt P. I shore will be glad when my eyes lights on 
ole A^irginny again. 

Enter from L., Kiku, Matsuka and two other court 
ladies. 

All Four (bozving to Henrietta). Welcome — honor- 
able welcome to American barbarian lady, Mees Dash ! 

Henrietta (imitating hozv). Thank you, ladies. {The 
four move in unison to Aunt P. and salute.) 

All Four. And welcome — honorable welcome to ven- 
erated black. 

Aunt P. {at R.). What's dat you say? 

KiKU. We humbly welcome honorable black lady to im- 
perial court. 

Aunt P. Lookee yere, gal, I wants it distinctly under- 
stood dat I ain't black. No. ma'am! Pse jes' only a highly 
seasoned mahogany — dat's all. 

Matsuka (sharply imfiirling fan, frightening Aunt P.). 
We venerate honorable aged one. 

Aunt P. I ain't so very aged, either. Ps only 48. And 
Pse a highly 'spectable member of de cream ob ole Vir- 
ginny colored aristocracy ; dat's me ! 

Enter two Porters from L. hearing banners. They stand 
at rear. 

Porters (announcmg). Her Royal and Imperial Pligh- 
ness, the Daughter of the Sun, O Abbu San! (Cymbal 
crash. The Japanese ladies kotozv.) 

Aunt P. (going to Henrietta at R. C). Miss 'Retta, 
has we all got to git down on our bended knees like dat? 

Henrietta (/a ;/^/n'//^). Certainly, Aunt Paradise. Down 
on your kness. Down on your Japanese. 

Aunt P. (zvorried). I can't bend down dataway. I ain't 
no jack-knife and I ain't in no church. 

Henrietta. Well, then, just make a bow — a deep bow. 

Matsuka (rises). Very low honorable bow is enough. 
So! (Bozvs, then kotozvs again.) 

Aunt P. Yas'm, much obliged. If I makes a low hon- 
orable bow like dat, I'm liable to fall down on ma honor- 



20 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

able nose. (Sighs.) Lawsy, I shore wishes I was back in 
ole Virginny. 

Porters. She comes. Her imperial highness! {Cym- 
bals clash.) 

Enter Abbu from L. She stands at L, 

Abbu. I, Abbu San, greet you. Honorable welcome to 
my humble, unworthy palace. 

Henrietta {kneels and kisses Abbu's hand). Your 
Highness is too gracious. 

Abbu. Arise, august barbarian lady. (Turns to Aunt 
P., who is trying to make loiv how.) And you, too, vener- 
ated woman. 

Aunt P. (mutters). Woman! De idea ob dat Httle Jap- 
anesess a-callin' me woman ! Ain't dat scan'lous ? 

Abbu (sits C, all sit). Let us be augustly comfortable 
and enjoy exalted tea making. Bring tea. (Lady exits L.) 

Aunt P. More tea? Dat makes thirty-two cups ob tea 
Pse done drunk already dis mornin'. Pd gib ninety-nine 
thousand dollars for a two-pint cup ob coffee and some 
stewed chicken giblets. Wish I was back in ole Virginny. 
(Tea is served.) 

Abbu. Rose leaves for honorable tea. (Rose leaf 
dropped in each cup. Note: Cups are empty, as is tea-pot. 
Japanese players invariably pantomime.) 

Aunt P. What's dat she's puttin' in ma tea? 

Abbu (to Henrietta). And now, honorable lady, I beg 
you tell me of your land, of august customs, of merry mak- 
ings. It is called Richmond, Virginia, is it not? 

Henrietta. Yes, your Highness. And it's the dearest 
spot on earth. 

Aunt P. Yas'm, and I shore wishes dat I was there. 

Abbu (to Henrietta). Your conversation gives me 
much pleasure. Glad am I that you condescend to set dainty 
foot on unworthy floor. 

Aunt P. (shozving very large shoes). Dainty foot! Dat's 
me. 

Henrietta. The pleasure is all mine. You see, Pm do- 
ing Japan for my paper. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 21 

Abbu {puzzled). Doing Japan. Pardon poor misun- 
derstanding. 

Henrietta. I am writing a series of articles about 
Japan. Tomorrow I go to the hill country for the annual 
chrysanthemum fete. 

Abbu. O joy ! Kiku, Matsuka ! We, too, shall attend hon- 
orable fete in the hill country. It is my last day of free- 
dom. We shall make enjoyable excursion. Where is Lady 
Yu-giri ? 

Matsuka. She has left the palace. She has returned to 
honorable h.ome of exalted, venerated mother. 

'Abbu {to Henrietta). It is my honorable relative. She 
is unwell. 

Matsuka {to Abbu). Does she accompany us on merry- 
making excursion to fete of the chrysanthemums, august 
Princess ? 

Abbu. Assuredly, if she is in honorable health. 

Kiku. I think, O Princess, that she is disturbed con- 
cerning your exalted engagement with honorable Baron Ito. 

Abbu {amazed). W^ith, honorable Ito? Pardon misun- 
derstanding. 

Kiku. He hath paid her much serious attention. He 
hath attached the lime to her honorable door. And now 
if he weds with your Imperial Highness, honorable Lady 
Yu-giri dies of heart-break. 

Abbu. But honorable Baron weds not with, me. His 
Imperial Highness mates me with one of rank superior to 
honorable Ito. 

Matsuka. But Lady Yu-giri fears you wed with, her 
fiance. 

Abbu {to Henrietta). Pardon our discourtesy, O 
fair barbarian, but my ladies make merry with me. {To 
Matsuka). I dare not name my fiance without permis- 
sion of His Majesty, but Yu-giri may rest assured it is not 
her honorable little Ito. And now, summon court geishas. 
{Lady exits L.) I prepare humble entertainment for your 
augustness, Mees Henrietta Dash. 

Music. Enter four or six maidens in red kimonos tvith 



22 ABBU SAX OF OLD JAPAN. 

Japanese parasols. They dance zmtJi many posings. For 
finale all assiunc pretty pose. Hold tableau. 

Front Curtain Falls. 
Interlude: Before front curtain. 

Masago comes to C. in front of curiam and bows. 

Masago (bozus to R.). I bow. (To C.) I bow. (To L.) 
I bow. We thank you for gracious applause honorably 
given. True, we expected more, but the Japanese are nota- 
bly polite and hide the feelings of honorable heart with 
smiling, gracious words. A word of advice, worthy audi- 
ence. I pray you, be not over timid. Much applause glad- 
dens the heart of the players. In fact, we should not be 
lionorably frightened at an ovation. Our first scene is 
ended with kind approbation. 

Now for the story. The honorable Lady Yu-giri, mean- 
ing in English Mist of the Evening, mad with jealousy, 
flies to the home of her august mother, the Duchess Fuji-no. 
You shall see worthy home of exalted duchess to which 
heart-broken Yu-giri is now speeding. (Raps fan on wrist. 
Enter Ono from L. zvith gong, zvhicJi she strikes once. She 
yawns lazily at audience and exits L.) The palace of the 
Fuji-no. (Crosses to R.) 

Scene II. 

Front curtains drawn, shozving the room as before zvith 
tzvo small mats in C. Small table at rear zvith zvooden god, 
(use character doll or image Billikin), backed by red cur- 
tain containing Japanese zvriting. Bowl of rice on altar 
and small vase of flozvering shrubs. Fuji-no discovered 
seated C. facing the audience. 

Masago. The Duchess Fuji-no! (Resumes her seat at 
extreme R.) 

Fuji-No (seated). For one of my exalted rank and glo- 
rious dignity to salute is folly. Know then that I am the 
august Duchess Fuji-no, mother of the heart-broken Yu- 
giri, though, of course, T do not know at the present speak- 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 23 

in^ that she is heart-broken. Blood relative am I of His 
Majesty with my exalted, venerable head towering proudly 
in the clouds and my honorable spine held regally upright. 
Here I sit in my ducal palace awaiting the unfoldmg of 
the plot of our honorable play. My daughter approaches. 

Enter Yu-giri from R., much agitated. 

Yu-GiRi. O! grief making! Honorable mother, thy 
daughter is bowed to humble dust with sorrow and anguish. 
(Sinks at her feet.) , i i ^ 

Fuji-no. The daughter of Fuji-no is never bowed to 
the dust Grief comes and grief goes, but the pride of our 
station remains. Arise, Yu-giri, and explain the cause of 

honorable tears. r ^ ^ . 

Yu-GiRi Pray pardon, august relative, but hrst let me 
make appeal to household gods. (Kotozvs m front of 

altar.) ^ . . r 

Fuji-no. After devotions explain mysterious cause ot 

erief-making. ^ , ^ t^ ^ 

Yu-GiRi (prostrate). O Shinto, all powerful. O Benten, 
Amairu aid me. Give me honorable power to conquer 
exalted rival. Give me beautiful fascinations Give me 
low seductive voice. Give me face of budding lotus flower 
and fieure of graceful honorable weeping willow, in the 
hour of Ox will I make sacrifice. Let me not be dishoiv 
orably cast aside. Let me not be publicly disgraced. O 
Shinto! Give me love of honorable Ito. Let her not take 
him from me. Let her not, I pray thee. (Sobs and falls 
prostrate before altar.) O Shinto, Amairu, hear me, hear 

"^Fuji-NO (goes to her, comforts her and brings her C_). 
Yu-giri, Mist of the Evening, be honorably comforted, lis 
thy mother who speaks. 

Yu-GiRi. My dear mother ! 

Fuji-NO. Now thv grief-making tidings? \ou speak of 
exalted rival. You speak of public disgrace You make a 
mother's heart break in twain in sympathy for beloved 
daughter. Speak. Confide in me. 

Yu-GiRi. It is the Princess. 



24 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Fuji-NO. Abbu San? 

Yu-GiRi. The same. 

Fuji-no. How hath exalted Princess offended Yu-giri ? 

Yu-GiRi. She announces her engagement by the order 
of His Majesty. She is to marry. 

Fuji-no. But you, too, are fiancee. The sprig of Hme 
adorn unworthy door. 

Yu-GiRi. The sprig of Hme must be (h'shonorably re- 
moved. He — he is false to me. The T>;=ron Ito has un- 
worthily betrayed my trust. He seeks hand of imperial 
Princess in marriage. 

Fuji-no (lises). What! He dares? He dares 'thus af- 
front the daughter of Fuji-no? He dares to do this un- 
worth}^ thing. Black clouds envelop him ! I shall be re- 
venged. As Yorissima slew dragon, so shall I slay his 
hopes, his ambitions. He hath harmed the daughter of 
the Tiger. Let him beware the Tiger's vengeance. 

Yu-GiRi. Before all the court, before Matsuka San, she 
humbled me. The maidens laughed me to scorn. Mother, 
'tis more than I can bear. 

Fuji-no. He casts you aside for the Princess? A pub- 
lic disgrace. May evil spirits clutch at both of them. May 
depths of night enfold them. May their hour of happiness 
turn to sorrow. May all their fruit wither on their trees 
and their harvests fail. May the typhoon destroy them as 
they have destroyed me and mine. 'Tis my curse. The 
curse of Fuji-no ! 

Yu-GiRi. No, no, honorable mother, do not curse ex- 
alted Princess. 

Fujj-NO. I have spoken. Fuji-no has spoken. May 
Benten aid me. I shall be revenged. 

Enter Kiku from R. 

KiKU (hozving). Excuse unworthy intrusion, but Lady 
Yu-giri is summoned by Imperial Princess to join merry- 
making excursion tomorrow to hill country. For honor- 
able fete of chrysanthemums. We float tonight down the 
river. Her Highness is even now awaiting you. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 25 

Yu-GIRI (rising). I thank thee. O Kiku San. I shall 
attend at once. 

Kiku (backing out). Again, exalted Fuji-no, excuse un- 
worthy one. (E.vifs R.) 

Yu-GIRI. What shall I do, venerated mother? 

Fuji-no. Go with her. Leave me alone. I would pon- 
der with weighty thoughts. 

Yu-GIRI. Sayonara, nry mother. (Exits R.) 

Fuji-no. It must not be. It shall not be. I must de- 
vise with honorable cunning a way to prevent this public 
disgrace. The Princess goes to the hill country. She must 
not return. The bandit Junzo will do night-black work of 
abduction. The arm of Fuji-no is long, the eye of Fuji-no 
shall not close until threatened disgrace is alleviated. I go 
to the prison. I forget exalted rank in order to visit wife 
of Junzo, the bandit. She shall aid me in return for her 
liberty. Now, Shinto, all powerful, be my aid, O Benten, 
guide my cunning. The Princess shall tarry long in the 
hill country and I shall be revenged. She shall plead with 
me for mercy, but Fuji-no knows no mercy. The pride 
of my house hath been assailed. I Hve but for revenge, 
revenge ! 

Front Curtain Falls. 

Interlude : Before front curtain. 

Masago (rises and addresses the audience). 'Tis the 
woman's ward of the imperial prison at Tokyo. Ohano, 
wife of the notorious robber and bandit chief, Junzo, has 
been captured and languishes in prison. This unworthy 
one assisted her husband in kidnapping children of noble 
birth and held them for ransom. The guilty pair w^ere cap- 
tured, but the husband Junzo escaped to the mountains. 
The prison! 

Scene III. 

Front curtain rises disclosing bare stage. Screens at back. 
Ono and Porters place chairs and stools to form three 
sides of a square at C. Ono stands at rear C. with back 
to audience. She holds a bamboo pole (easily obtained 



26 ABBU SAX OF OLD JAPAN. 

from a furniture store) upright. Porters bring in Ohano, 
cJiaincd, and chain her to pole. 

Masago. The unworthy Ohano, stealer of honorable 
children. (Resumes her seat. Exit Porters.) 

Ohano. Gentle listeners, behold me, the most unhappy 
of women. Imprisoned and coddling my brain with black 
thoughts. I yearn for the freedom of the hill country, 
where my honorable husband rules the bandits and out- 
laws. Alas, unhappy me ! Caught like honorable rat in 
cruel trap. I can only bide my time and yearn for revenge. 

Enter Fuji-no from L. 

Fuji-no (proudly). Ohano, wife of Junzo, the bandit, 
a lady of rank most exalted would speak with thee. 

Ohano {sarcastically) . I am bound and chained. Speak 
on, O august one. I am defenseless. 

Fuji-no. Unhappy one, I would be thy friend. 

Ohano {amazed). My friend? The friend of Ohano, 
the unfortunate? O, lady of exalted rank, speak on. 

Fuji-NO. Mayhap I can procure thee thy liberty. 

Ohano. Art thou, then, the wife of the honorable 
warden ? 

Fuji-no. I am the exalted widow of the Duke Aoki, 
cousin of His Imperial Majesty, the Son of Heaven. I 
deign to make a bargain with thee. 

Ohano. Unworthy am I to kiss the dust beneath thy 
honorable sandals. 

Fuji-no. Your husband has escaped, I hear. 

Ohano. 'Tis true. Pie is in the hill country. 

Fuji-NO. And Ohano would join her mate? 

Ohano. As the dragon fly to the water lily. 

Fuji-NO. This then, is the plan. This very night a 
maiden of the royal court travels to the hill country for 
the annual chrysanthemum fete to be held tomorrow at the 
Inn of a Million Welcomes. This lady is young and daring. 
Tomorrow she will ride the honorable horse and explore 
the hills. Mayhap she rides alone, mayhap with a few 
serving maids. If the mighty bandit chief, Junzo, and his 
honorable wife, Ohano, could capture this maiden and hold 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 27 

her for three weeks, I myself would pay her ransom. But 
all this takes skill and bravery. 

Ohano. Junzo, the unconqucred, hath both skill and 
bravery. But how could this deed be accom])lished ? I am 
here, imprisoned, chained. 

Fuji-no. Imperial power opens doors of ])risons, keys 
open locks of chains. Is it a bargain ? 

Opiano. And I will gain my liberty? O Benten, all mer- 
ciful, Amairu, Nichoren, accept my thanks. 

Fuji-no. Remember, no harm must come to the maiden. 
It is my desire that she shall be held in honorable quiet 
for three weeks. A simple task for one as brave as Junzo. 
The lady will ride in the hills. The roads are lonely. You 
will recognize her by her imperial robe of crimson. 

Ohano (irry much alanned). Imperial robe? O, hon- 
orable one, are we then to make captive the daughter of 
the Sun ? 

Fuji-no. Do you unworthily hesitate? Do you prefer, 
perhaps, the prison and the chains? 

Ohano. No, no ! Ask what you will and your servants 
will obey. Only grant me my liberty and I will capture 
even the royal Princess herself. 

FuGi-NO. Then you have no fear? 

Ohano. Fear? If we are captured it will mean the re- 
moval of my honorable head. 

Fuji-NO. The wife of the renowned Junzo is indeed 
worthy of so brave a mate. Methinks I am speaking to the 
trembling nurse-maid by the river front. I made honorable 
mistake. I thought I addressed a woman made brave by 
hate, a woman worthy of Junzo, the bandit. 

Ohano. You speak to Ohano. I am brave as any 
woman. But still I am a woman. 

Fuji-NO. Then you fear to do this deed? 

Ohano. I do not fear. 

Fuji-NO. 'Tis well. See, the key that unlocks thy 
bonds. {Releases her in pantomime.) See, you are free. 

Ohano. And tomorrow the maiden shall be held captive 
awaiting your honorable desires. 



28 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Fuji-NO. 'Tis well. Follow me. I shall procure food 
and raiment. {Turns to her.) But if you fail, remember 
the arnt of Fuji-no is long. Both your honorable head and 
the head of Junzo shall adorn tlie august pickets of my 
honorable gateway. I have spoken. (Goes to exit L.. turns.) 
Remember. Follow me. (Exits L.) 

Ohano. 'Tis sweet to taste the honorable air of liberty. 
But to capture a daughter wearing the imperial robe. 'Tis 
a task fraught with danger. Tomorrow is another day. I 
shall consult with honorable husband. Richness shall be 
ours and honor. (Cross to door L.) But without honor- 
able head on happy shoulders, riches and honor are base 
indeed. I withdraw myself from your honorable gaze. 
(Exits L.) 

Front Curtain Falls. 

Masago (rises). She travels to the hill country there to 
conspire with unworthy Junzo, the bandit, concerning the 
capturing of her august highness, O Abbu San. But fear 
not, gentle audience, the exalted Princess will yet escape 
the wicked Duchess Fuji-no. Good will triumph in the end 
and evil will be rewarded according to unworthy deserts. 

Front Curtain Rises. 

Scene IV: Same as before. 

Ono and the Porters push eight stools together at C. Be- 
hind them they place eight tall chairs hacks to audience. 
Chairs are placed together and close to the stools. The 
seats of the chairs facing rear, are taller than the stools. 
A long, oblong piece of dark cloth is placed over the backs 
of the chairs, forming a background for the maidens when 
they recline on the stools. 

A small blue Japanese lantern is hung on a pole and 
placed in the bow of the ''boat.'' Ono lowers the lights on 
stage. 

Tzvo Porters stand on chairs in stern of boat ivith large 
bamboo poles to be used as propellers. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 29 

Masago. 'Tis a night boat tliat floats on the moon- 
kissed river leading from the Imperial City. 

Soft music, "Sliijuber Boat.'' The Porters pantomime 
pushing the boat. Behind the scenes rub tzvo pieces of 
sand-paper together in time to the strokes. 

Enter Abbu, Yu-giri, Matsuka and Kiku from L. 
Matsuka and Kiku place pillozvs on stools and assist Abbu 
to mount. All are on the stools. Music ceases. 

Abbu. And now we will float, my maidens, among the 
lotus blooms, our silver sails filled with the perfume from 
the lemon groves. Ah! 'tis happiness! A flower boat afloat 
on a star-lit river of joy. 

Kiku. The night birds perch on the moon rays and sing 
to us. Shall I bid the samisen answer their song. 

Abbu. Ah, do. (Kiku pantomimes playing. Soft mu- 
sic.) See (points to audience at L.) the lotus lanterns of 
a love-boat floating in the moonlight. (Follows imaginary 
boat from L. to R. with hand as she speaks.) It holds two 
lovers in fond embrace. The silver starbeams sparkle on 
the almond blossoms in her hair. 

Yu-GiRi. And now we are passing the sandal-grove. 
The air is heavy with the perfume of sandal wood. 

Matsuka. See the honorable weeping willow trees. 
They bend over to kiss the moonlit ripples of the river. 

Abbu. A night of soft perfume and tinkling music. We 
float, float, float. And I am honorably happy. Reach rne 
that water lotus. 

(Ono, from her place at extreme L., kicks an artificial 
flower to C. Kiku reaches over and picks it. Music ends.) 

Abbu. A breeze from the rice fields. We are approach- 
ing the village. Do you remember, O Mimoso San, the little 
sleep song you learned from the venerated mission lady? 

Matsuka. I do remember. It is called Slumber Boat. 
Would your Highness care to hear unworthy voice of your 
Matsuka ? 

Abbu. Slumber Boat? Ah, yes\ Sing, my Matsuka. 



30 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Music. Matsuka sings ''The Slumber Boat," by Jessie 
L. Gayiior, the others joining in chorus. 

Slow Curtain as last chorus is sung. 

Masago. For your kind approbation I thank you. In 
behalf of my sisters I salute you. I bow. {Bows to L.) 
I bow. (Bozvs to C.) I bow. (Bows to R.) Your worthy 
applause warms the hearts of my humble players. They 
would come forward and so tell you, did custom permit. 
But, most august and honorable audience, at the conclusion 
of the play you may bestow your kindly recognition upon 
my sisters as I condescend to introduce each individually 
to your excellencies. The first part of our play is ended. 
The second part is even better than the first. Again I bow. 
Honorable audience, I salute you. I bow. (Retires.) 



ABBU SAX OF OLD JAPAN. 31 



Act II. 

Interlude: In front of curtain. 

When players are ready for the second act, Ono comes 
lip through the audience, mounts the stage, gazes at audi- 
ence in a bored fashion and strikes once on the gong. She 
yawns. Crosses to L. Strikes gong again and exits L. 

Enter Masago. She takes her customary place at side 
of stage and addresses the audience. 

Masago. It is the dooryard of an inn in a little country 
village in the hill country. The annual chrysanthemum fete 
is being- held at the Inn of a Million Welcomes. The royal 
Princess and her maids are sleeping in the inn. Behold the 
revelling of the village maidens. 

Scene I. 

Front curtain rises, disclosing the courtyard of an inn. 
Natural evergreen trees around the stage and chrysanthe- 
mums blooming. Entrance to house dozvn L. 

Music. "The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring!" From 
Act II of Mikado. 

Enter frotn L. six maidens in rose colored kimonos. 
They enter in straight line with wait.": step in time to music. 
Advance to front, retreat to rear, circle by threes. Assume 
tableau, pose. 

Enter from R. six maidens in yellow kimonos. They 
dance in time to music. Pose at rear. 

Enter from L. six maidens in zvhite kimonos. They dance 
and pose. 

The eighteen (or fewer, if desired) maidens do dance 
in time to music. Then each plucks a chrysanthemum of 
the same color as her kimono. Note'. The flowers must 
have stems four feet long. All pose imth flowers and 
sin^. 



32 ABP.U SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

The Flowers th'At Bloom in the Spring. 
(Act II, Mikado.) 
Maidens. The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la, 
Breathe promise of merry sunshine, 
As we merrily dance and we sing, tra la, 
We welcome the hope that they bring, tra la, 

Of smnmer and roses and wine. 
And that's what we mean when we say that a thing 
Is welcome as flowers that bloom in the spring. 
Tra la la la la, Tra la la la la, 
The flowers that bloom in the spring. 
Tra la la la la, Tra la, la la la. 
La, la, la, la, la, la, 

(All dance out at R.) 
Enter from L. Matsuka and Kiku in simple kimonos. 

Matsuka (sighs). What an inn ! I scarcely slept a wink. 
After the imperial court, to spend the night in such a place 
is torture. 

Kiku. I wonder if her imperial highness has arisen? 
She has not summoned us for unworthy service. I, too, was 
awake half the night. Honorable sleep refused to woo me, 
but if the august Yum-Yum desires, the unworthy Kiku is 
willing to abide here for a month. 

Matsuka (looking L.). See the honorable Lady Yu-giri 
approaches. We are used to the madcap pranks of her 
Highness, O Kiku, but the Lady Yu-giri is too delicate for 
such hardships. 

Enter from L. Yu-giri in costume of Act I. 

Yu-giri. I honorably salute. 

Kiku. We trust you spent an enjoyable night, Yu-giri. 

Yu-giri (shudders) . Oh, speak not of the nigh.t. My 
bones were torn asunder. I hope that this midsummer mad- 
ness of her Imperial Highness will soon be over and we may 
return to august court. 

Enter Abeu from. L. All kotozv. 

Kiku. August Princess! You have arisen? 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 33 

Abbu (laughs). As you see with honorable eyes. I have 
arisen. 

Yu-GiRi. And you have dressed yourself with your own 
hands? Oh, princess, forgive unworthy neglect. 

Abbu. Arise, all of you. Today I lay aside the cares 
of state. I am incognito. And listen well, my maidens. I 
pray you remember that for today I am no longer the Prin- 
cess, but we are all simple little schoolgirls from the acad- 
emy come to view the clirysanthemum fete. 

Yu-GiRi. A simple little school girl? I a simple little 
schoolgirl? 

Abbu. Well, you may be our honorable chaperone, if 
you wish. You shall be honorable lady attended by three 
little maids. 

Yu-GiRi. Attended? You mean that you will attend me? 

Abbu. That is my honorable meaning, cousin Yu-giri. 
Today I am only a simple little maid. Oh, what a relief! 
No imperial etiquette, no ringing bells to salute me, no 
cannons fired, no long and tedious addresses from the hon- 
orable mayor. Nothing but twenty-four hours of peace 
and comfort. 

KiKU. But your dignity, princess, your imperial dignity? 

Abbu. Oh, let me forget my imperial dignity. For one 
little day, my Kiku. When I return to court I am to be 
betrothed, and then my madcap days will be over. Let us 
have one last little day of freedom. It will be our secret 
forever. No one shall know, but we four. 

Matsuka. Your wish is our law, O Princess. 

Yu-GiRi. I acquiesce to my Princess' demands. But I 
am honorably shocked. 

Abbu. 'Tis not the first time, Lady Yu-giri, that I have 
honorably shocked your finer sensibilities. Now, maidens, 
no one must recognize me. 

Yu-GiRi. Impossible. You who have been admired at 
all the courts of the Orient. You cannot disguise the hon- 
orable beauty. 'Twould be like the honorable sun trying to 
appear as an unworthy star. Your fund of information — 
your sparkHng wit — 

Abbu. Enough, Yu-giri, enough. 



34 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Yu-GiRi. You, whose approach is Hke the sun over an 
eastern hill ! The gods rain favor of grace and beauty and 
perfumed paths on such as you. 

Abbu. I pray you, use up no more air in compliment. 
And remember that I exact of all of you the greatest pos- 
sible discretion. 

Matsuka. But such a place is unworthy of your High- 
ness. The cocks and the hens, the ducks and the drakes, are 
allowed full liberty to walk about wherever they think 
proper, and sometimes so far forget themselves as to walk 
even into the living rooms. 

Abbu. Why not? They know they are welcome or they 
would not intrude. {Laughing.) They have their honor- 
able living to pick up, how and when they can. 

Yu-GiRi. You sympathize with them! Happy ducks and 
drakes, blessed with so beneficent a sovereign ! 

Abbu. This is the plan. Yu-giri, you are a lady of rank 
traveling with three little maids from school. Girls, we 
are the three little maids. As for me, I would play hide- 
and-seek with the sun rays and the moon rays. I would 
laugh from the mountain peak at the typhoon sweeping the 
valley below. {Looks R.) Ah, see the dewy gardens be- 
neath the drooping bamboos and the towering pines. The 
view from the mountain must be delightful. Come, Kiku, 
we shall investigate. {Exit R.) 

Kiku. Your voice is like the honorable zephyr. I obey. 
{Exit R.) 

{Noise, voices and confusion heard off L. Cymbals 
clash.) 

Okuku {heard off L., yelling). Have done! Out of 
this! Away with you! Take that — and that — and that! 
{Crash.) 

Matsuka {dozvn R. zmth Yu-giri). The gods defend 
us! What noise assails our ears? 

Enter Natsu-no from L. 

Natsu-no. I crave pardon, honorable ladies, for un- 
seemly brawling within humble inn. 'Tis a band of villain- 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 35 

ous tea-coolies, half drunk with sake. They rudely disturb 
honored guests. 

Yu-GiRi. May Shinto protect us! Drunken tea-coolies, 
you say, hostess ? 

Natsu-no. Have no fear. My porter woman Okuku 
has the strength of three men. When unworthy coolies 
make disturbance, the valiant Okuku cracks their honorable 
heads with pole of stout bamboo. They fear Okuku and 
slink away like honorable whipped dog. 

Matsuka. a woman fight with drunken coolies? 

Natsu-no. Okuku has gentle, peace-loving nature like 
venerated cooing turtle dove. But she has strength of hon- 
orable tiger. Every villainous coolie in hill country fear 
stout bamboo pole of valiant Okuku. Even mighty Junzo, 
outlaw chief and terror of hill people, would not dare assail 
Okuku. 

Matsuka. Oh, we are in danger. Exalted Princess is 
in danger. 

Yu-GiRi, Let us flee from hill country. Let us return 
to imperial city. 

Natsu-no. There is no danger. Okuku can protect. 
(Noise out L. Natsu-no looks L.) Even now hath she 
separated two fighting coolies. She strikes one in the mid- 
dle with honorable pole. He doubles up like human jack- 
knife. Now he slinks away. See, she attacks the other. He 
runs after his companion. And now she is calmly filling 
the flower vases. Ah, what a woman! 

Enter Henrietta and Aunt P. from L. 

Aunt P. Lemnre get on de steam cars and take de nex' 
boat for ole Virginny. I don't like all dis yere fightin' and 
excitement. It makes me nervous. 

Henrietta. I wouldn't have missed it for worlds. I 
am going to write a story for my paper on the new woman 
of Japan, and Til make that porter my heroine. I never 
saw anythng like it. She jumps right in a brawl, pushes 
one man here, and another there, knocks about her with a 
bamboo pole, and is mistress of all she surveys. That 
woman ought to be a general. 



36 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Natsu-no. Pray overlook unseemly disturbance. To- 
day unworthy coolies receive monthly pay. They are filled 
with rice wine. 

Aunt P. I knowed it wasn't tea. Never would act dat- 
away if dey's filled with tea. 

Natsu-no. I trust honorable barbarian ladies enjoyed 
pleasant dreams. 

Henrietta. Oh, yes ; we slept very well. 

Aunt P. Slept well? Who — me? No, ma'am. When 
I sleeps I want a bed to sleep in. Las' night dey gibs me 
a little square piece ob wood and calls it a pillow. I cer- 
tainly wish I was back in dat good ole Richmond, Virginny. 

Henrietta. What time do the village maidens assemble 
for the fete? 

Natsu-no. Even now they are gathering perfumed 
flowers. 

Matsuka. But do they not fear drunken coolies ? ^ 

Natsu-no. That is why the fete is to be held here in 
the Inn of Million Welcomes, instead of on banks of vener- 
ated river. All assemble here to honor exalted blossoms. 
And it is my privilege to name queen of chrysanthemums. 

Henrietta. How interesting. (Makes note.) Why are 
you selected to name the queen? 

Natsu-no. The honor is always accorded to the mis- 
tress of the inn. The most charming village maid is se- 
lected. I show no partiality but choose the maiden most 
worthy to wear the flowery crown. 

Aunt P. I neber see so many flowers in all my life. But 
dey ain't got a single blossom dat can touch de sun-flowers 
in my back yard in ole Richmond, Virginny. 

Natsu-no (taking Henrietta and Aunt P. to rear). 
Permit me to exhibit honorable bossoms. (SJiozvs them the 
flowers.) 

Enter Abbu and Kiku from R. 

Yu-GiRi. O exalted Princess, we must leave this place 
at once. They have an unseemly brawling. Drimken tea- 
coolies are evervwhere. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 37 

Abbu. Kai, Yu-giri. I fear no danger. They will not 
harm innocent little school girls. 

Yu-GiRi. But I am not an innocent little schoolgirl. 

Abbu. True, I had forgotten. We are innocent maids, 
you are exalted lady chaperone. Kiku, Matsuka, bow to 
venerated chaperone. {They bozv.) 

Kiku. See Princess, the American lady and venerated 
black. 

Abbu. They will not recognize us among so many {To 
Yu-GiRi.) Introduce us to honorable hostess. Tell her we 
are your charges, three little maids from school. And, re- 
member, do not address me as honorable Princess. You 
are lady chaperone, we are simple maidens. 

Yu-GiRi {raps on-ivrist zvith fan to attract attention of 
Natsu-no, zvho hastens to her). I am exalted lady from 
imperial city, come to view merry-making at fete of honor- 
able chrysanthemums. {Exeunt Henrietta and Aunt P. 
at L.) 

Natsu-no. Humble Natsu-no, hostess of Inn of Million 
Welcomes, bows to you. And these, are they honorable 
daughters of exalted lady? (Abbu, Matsuka and Kiku 
giggle behind fans.) 

Yu-GiRi (annoyed). Not at all. I have no honorable 
daughter. These are ladies — 

Abbu {interrupting). Oh, no. Pardon unseemly inter- 
ruption. We are not ladies, O Natsu-no, but three little 
maids from school. We would sing and dance. So! 
{Dances.) Come, venerated chaperone, join us. You, too, 
dance and sing. 

Yu-GiRi. I, dance and sing like unworthy geisha maid? 
I, the Lady Yu-giri, of exalted rank, dance at an inn? 

Abbu. O, pardon us, lady of exalted rank. We humbly 
ask pardon. 

(Music cue.) 

Ensemble Song. 

{From Act I, Mikado.) 

Abbu, Kiku and Matsuka {at R. sing to Yu-giri, who 
stands at C). 



38 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

So please you, ma'am, we much regret 
If we have failed in etiquette 
Toward a dame of rank so high. 
We shall know better by and by. 
Abbu. But youth, of course, must have its fling, 

So pardon us. 
The Three. So pardon us. 
Matsuka. And don't, in girlhood's happy spring, 

Be hard on us. 
The Three. Be hard on us. 

KiKU. If we're designed to dance and sing! (They 
dance.) 

Tra la, la, la, la ! 
Yu-GiRi (at C). I think you ought to recollect 
You cannot show too much respect 
To-ward the highly-titled few. 
But no one does, and why should you? 
Natsu-no {indignantly at L.) 

That youth at us should have its fling- 
Is hard on us. 
Yu-GiRi and Natsu-no. 

Is hard on us. 
Yu-GTRi. To our prerogative we cling, 

So pardon us. 
Yu-GiRi and Natsu-no. 
So pardon us 
If we decline to dance and sing. 

Natsu-no. The village maids are assembling for the 
fete. {Looks R.) 

Yu-GiRi. But, hostess, is there safety here? If the 
drunken tea-coolies should assail — 

Natsu-no. Have no fear, august lady. My porter 
Okuku is of honorable strength, as you have seen. 

Abbu (/(9 Yu-GiRi). What means worthy hostess? 

Yu-GiRi. Unworthy tea-coolies, filled with rice wine and 
sake, made disreputable disturbance. But they were 
abashed and silenced by worthy giantess porter called 
Okuku. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 39 

Abbu. a woman silenced them? 

Natsu-no. With aid of honorable broomstick. She is 
august, venerated watch-dog of Inn of Milhon Welcomes. 
But excuse, I pray. The fete begins. 

Music. Enter Umt. Sada and Yasa witJi other I'Ulage 
maids from R. 

Umi. Hail, august honorable Natsu-no. May you live a 
thousand years. 

Sada. Hail, venerated hostess Natsu-no. May your inn 
never lack exalted guests and your field be ever pearly with 
rice. 

Yasa. Hail, beloved Natsu-no. You are entwined in 
the crevices of our hearts as honorable morning-glory 
twines over exalted pine.- 

Maids. All hail, honorable beloved Natsu-no. (Yu-giri, 
Matsuka and Abbu San at L. Natsu-no at C. Maids 
at R.) 

Natsu-no. Behold the loving kindness of honorable 
neighbors. Today all is honey and sugared words, for well 
you know Natsu-no chooses the queen of fete. A flattering- 
tongue is like honorable south wind, one day beloved 
zephyr, next day dangerous typhoon. The venerated cat 
shows velvet paws, but Natsu-no understands that scratch- 
ing claws are hidden by velvet paws. But are all assembled ? 

Umi. All, august, honorable Natsu-no. 

Sada. We are all here, venerated hostess. 

Yasa. No one is missing, beloved neighbor. 

Natsu-no. Forgive disagreement. All village maids are 
here save one. I do not see my valiant Okuku. 

Maids (laugh). Okuku! O, 'tis laughter making! Okuku 
to try for the prize ! 

Umi. Okuku, the tiger of the kitchen. She is probably 
knocking the heads of 'seven or eight coolies together. 

Sada. Or throwing two or three rice laborers in the 
duck pond. 

Yasa. Or pulling the unworthy nose of the powerful 
bandit chief, mighty Junzo. 



40 ABRU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Maids. She contest for a prize? O, laughter! (All 
laugh.) 

Natsu-nc) (looking touKird house). She comes. My 
vaHant porter, Oktiku. 

Maids (bounng mockingly). O hail, dainty little Okukii. 

hail! 

Enter from house Okuku, zvith pail and mop. 

Okuku (to Natsu-no). The house is cleaned, mistress. 
The tea-coolies have been dispersed and honorable quiet 
reigns within. 

Natsu-no. 'Tis well. I thank thee, valiant Okuku. 

Umi. Why, she is not even in holiday attire ! 

Sada. She thinks her unadorned beauty is all sufficient. 
(Laughter.) 

Yasa. She comes to show us the wonders of her rose 
pink complexion. (Laughter.) 

Umi. And her sparkling wit. 

Maids (point fingers at Okuku, laughing). Mighty sis- 
ter of the ox, Okuku, the beautiful ! 

Okuku. Wherefore do you squall around me like a 
parcel of hungry cats? What causes honorable laughter? 
(Goes to Umi.) Is it because my tongue isn't like yours, 
hung in the middle and wagging at both ends? 

Ar.Bu (laughing). Well done, honorable Okuku. (Umi 
stares at Abcu.) 

Okuku (goes to Sada). Or is it because my honorable 
nose points not heavenward, like yours? 

Abbu (laughs). Pardon unworthy laughter. (To court 
ladies.) The worthy Okuku is a maid after my own heart. 
(Maids stare at her.) 

Okuku (to Yasa). Perhaps you mock me because I am 
not bedecked in gaudy robes like dishonorable geisha? (To 
Maids) You dare to mock Okuku? You are like a parcel 
of little insignificant gnats trying to sting a mountain lion. 
Bah ! You are unworthy bunch of chattering monkeys. I 
have no money to spend for gaudy dress or hair ornaments. 

1 save my money for my venerated mother, who is poor 
and old. Tf she wants for nothing, what care I if I am 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 41 

not garbed like honorable peacock? She considers me lov- 
ing, dutiful daughter. She considers my ugly face as hand- 
some, 'she considers my poor understanding as worthy wit. 
So laugh away, chattering monkeys, peacocks of dwarfed 
understanding. I laugh back at you. I mock as well as 
you. Natsu-no, my mistress, forgive dishonorable temper. 
I return to my work. (Takes pail and mop and exits into 
house.) 

Natsu-no. The temper of Okuku has been ruffled by 
the drunken cooHes. I pray you, pardon seeming discour- 
tesy. Come, unworthy feast has been prepared in insignifi- 
cant inn. Enter and be welcome. 

Music. Maidens dance into lioiise, followed by Yu-giri 
and Natsu-no. 

KiKU. The valiant Okuku deserves to win the prize. 

Matsuka. Never have I seen a woman like this porter. 
By her own might she hath quelled the disturbance caused 
by unworthy tea-coolies. 

Abbu. Tomorrow, when I return to imperial court, I 
will send money as present to the valiant Okuku. 

Masago (rises). Ohano, wife of Junzo, the bandit, has 
arrived in hill country determined to follow the dictates of 
wicked Duchess Fuji-no. Behold the treacherous Ohano, 
now disguised as woman peddler, approaching the Inn of 
Million Welcomes. 

Enter Ohano from R. disguised as peddler, carrying 
tray of fans ribbons, ivory ornaments, paper flozvers, etc. 

Ohano (to Kiku. Matsuka ayid Abbu). May I show 
honorable ladies humble wares of wrought ivory. Carv- 
ings have I fit for exalted ladyship. Flowers and hair orna- 
ments, dainty fans, embroidered silks and cobweb laces. 

Kiku (to Abbu). Will you deign to purchase? 

Abbu. To purchase? I, a simple peasant maiden, pur- 
chase elegant trifles fit for court ladies? Impossible. 

Ohano. Is there no exalted personage here in Million 
Welcome Inn? 

Matsuka. Exalted personage here ? We know not. We 



42 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

are simple country maidens come to the village for honor- 
able fete of the chrysanthemums. 

KiKU. Oh, I should love to see exalted personage ! 

Abbu. And I. It would be grandest, most wonderful 
day of my unworthy life to see exalted lady. Where is 
august exalted one? 

Ohano. I know not. 'Tis rumored that imperial ladies 
attend fete of chrysanthemums. 

Enter Yu-giri with open parasol. 

Yu-GiRi. I weary of this simple peasant festival. Sim- 
ple village life hath no attraction for one of my exalted 
being. 

OiiANO. Ah, exalted, august lady, deign to look on 
humble trinkets of unworthy peddler woman. (Kiku, Mat- 
suKA and Abbu stroll off at L.) 

Yu-GiRi. Ah, excellent carvings in honorable ivory. 
Beautiful butterflies and fans. Embroideries and laces of 
wondrous texture. 

Ohano. More have I in unworthy shop. If ladyship 
would deign to accompany peddler woman to shop — 

Yu-GiRi. I have no time. Some other day, perhaps — 

Ohano. Wondrous things have I in unworthy shop. 
Magic spells and potions. Propitiations for the gods. Love 
philters — 

Yu-GiRi. Love philters? 

Ohano. Aye, brewed in honorable light of new moon's 
tip. Three drops in simple cup of tea given to backward 
lover and you gain honorable affection for lifetime. 

Yu-GiRi. I will accompany you. Where is your shop? 

Ohano. This way, exalted one — this way. {Exit R. 
with Yu-GiRi.) 

Enter from L., Abbu, Matsuka and Kiku, meeting 
Henrietta and Aunt P., zvho enter from R. 

Henrietta {making notes). And when do the festivities 
begin, my dear? {Speaking to Abbu.) 

Abbu (holding fan before face). I do not know, hon- 
orable lady. 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 43 

Henrietta. That voice! Sure, I recognize you. I've 
met you before. 

Abbu. I have not been so honored, exalted barbarian. 

Henrietta. 'Tis the Princess. (Kneels.) 

Aunt P. Say, has I got to kneel like dat, too ? 

Abbu. Arise, honorable lady. You have penetrated un- 
worthy disguise. I am indeed the Princess. 

Henrietta. But you are disguised as a simple little 
peasant maid. 

Abbu. For one little day, yes. I would escape the 
stifling air of august court and mingle with, my people. 

Henrietta. I've been looking everywhere for you, your 
Highness. 

Abbu. Nay, do not so address me. I would preserve 
my disguise. 

Henrietta. Pardon me. 

Abbu. When hostess Natsu-no return, do you introduce 
us as three little school girls who would contest for prize of 
chrysanthemum fete. (Music.) See, they come. Kiku, 
Matsuka, come! (Exit L., followed by Kiku and Mat- 

SUKA.) 

Enter Natsu-no, Umi, Sada, Yasa, Okuku and Maids 
frotti R. 

Natsu-no. Let the honorable dance of the flowers begin. 
Then may the gods assist me to make worthy choice for 
queen of the honorable chrysanthenumis. 

Henrietta (coming C, meeting Natsu-no). I bring 
some other candidates for the honor. 

Natsu-no. They are welcome. But where are they? 

Henrietta. They will be here in a moment. 

Natsu-no. Are they ladies from the city? 

Henrietta. Simple little schoolgirls from the academy. 

Umi. These honorable schoolgirls chatter like parrots. 

Sada. And they have the manners of honorable ox from 
the rice fields. 

Yasa, And their complexions are acutely disfigured. 

Natsu-no. Still we shall see them. 

Okuku. Yes, let us find out how honorably strong they 



44 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

are. No maiden should receive the prize unless she is 
strong and healthy. 

Umi. And hath a ready wit. 

Sada. And dance like honorable reed swaying in the 
moonlight. 

Yasa. And be beautiful as serene lady moon. 

Umi. I suppose these strangers will think they are more 
honorably clever than we. 

Okuku. Perhaps they are. 

Sada. We must league against them. 

Yasa. We will laugh at them and cheapen them in the 
eyes of Natsu-no. 

Okuku. Enough. Cease your chatter. Here thfy 
come. 

(Music cue.) 

Enter Abbu, Matsuka and Kiku from L. They come 
to C. at rear. Natsu-no, Aunt P., Henrietta dozvn L. 
Okuku, Umi, Sada, Yasa down R. Maids iip R. and L. 

Three Little Maids from School. 

{From Act I of Mikado.) 

Abbu, Matsuka and Kiku advance from rear ivith sJiort 
teetering steps, fans spread under chins. 

All. Three Httle maids from school are we, 
Pert as a schoolgirl well can be, 
Fiird to the brim with girlish glee, 

Three little maids from school. 
Abbu. Everything is a source of fun. 

(Shoots fan to left.) 
Matsuka. Nobody's safe, for we care for none. 

(Same business.) 
Kiku. Life is a joke that's just begun. (Same.) 
All. Three little maids from school. 

(TJiey dance in circles.) 
All. Three little maids who all unwary 
Come from a ladies' seminary, 
Freed from its genius tutelary, 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 45 

Three little maids from school, 
Three little maids from school. 
Abbu (advancing). 

One little maid is a bride, Yum-Yum, 
Matsuka (advancing). 

Two little maids in attendance come, 
KiKU (advancing). 

Three little maids make a total sum. 
All. Three little maids from school. 
Abbu (retreating). 

From three little maids take one away. 
Matsuka (retreating). 

Two little maids remain, and they 
KiKU (retreating). 

Won't have to wait very long, they say. 

Three little maids from school. 
Three little maids who all unwary 
Come from a ladies' seminary. 
Freed from its genius tutelary. 

Three little maids from school. 
Three little maids from school. 
Natsu-no. Well sung, illustrious maidens. You are 
worthy credit to university. 

Umi. I am no exalted judge, but in my opinion the song 
was somewhat egotistical. 

Sada. And most assuredly they lack grace as dancers. 
I never saw such movements. 

Yasa. The peacock gracefully bends, but these honor- 
able strangers waddle like three illustrious ducks. 

Okuku. When the eagle soars, barnyard geese are like 
to cackle. 

(Maids form chattering group at L.) 

Abbu (to Matsuka and Kiku at R.). I suppose we 
must present ourselves. 

Maids (giggling). They whisper. O laughter-making, 
honorable ducks. 

Kiku, Why do they laugh thus? 

Matsuka. 'Tis bashfulness, no doubt. 



46 ABBU SAN OF OT.D JAPAN. 

Abbu (advancing to C. and bozving). Your pardon, hon- 
orable maidens — 

Umi (with loud laughter). She calls us honorable 
maidens ! 

Sada. The gods protect me. I shall die of laughter. 

Abbu (pnzded). Permit me — 

Yasa (with loud laughter). Permit me! 

Abbu (trying to continue). Unworthy am I — 

Umi. Right you are. Absolutely unworthy. (Loud 
laughter.) 

Abbu. I seek in vain to comprehend — 

Okuku. Don't try to comprehend. These hissing geese 
are 'beyond comprehension. 

KiKU (to Natsu-no at C). Why do they laugh, most 
worthy hostess? 

Natsu-no. They laugh at you because you are all so 
peculiar. 

Matsuka. What causes honorable merriment? 

Natsu-no. You wear beautiful gowns. But in order to 
become them you should be flowers of loveliness hke Yasa 
here. 

Yasa (proudly). Words of august wisdom. 

Natsu-no. Possibly you have some exalted wit. What 
are your honorable names? 

Abbu (confused). Our names? (To Kiku.) I have 
forgotten honorable names. 

Umi (saucily to Abbu). Yes, your name. .What are you 
called by? You have a name, haven't you? 

Sada. Probably they left honorable names behind at 
university. 

Yasa. Or mislaid them on their august journey. (Laugh- 
ter.) 

Okuku. Peace, you chattering sparrows. (To ladies.) 
Speak out, maidens. What are your names? 

Kiku (bashfully) . I am called Kiku. 

Yasa (imitating her). I am called Kiku. 

Umi. Chrysanthemum flower. 

Sada. A somewhat withered blossom. 

Okuku (to Matsuka). And you? 



ABP>U SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 47 

Matsuka (proudly). I am Miss Moonlight. 

Umi. You don't shine well by day. Come ai'ound some 
time at night. 

Abbu. I am Miss Peppermint. 

Okuku. Peppermint? That's what I put in my medi- 
cine for spring fever. 

Umi. Do you think the young woman is a dose of medi- 
cine, worthy Okuku? (Loud laughter.) 

Abbu (to Okuku). Excuse, but have you any medicine 
that is honorable cure for impertinence? 

Sada. Do you wish to take a dose, little stranger? 

Abbu. Indeed I do, to administer to you. 

Sada (bozvs mockingly). Oh, forgive, but I would not 
take food from your own lips. (Laughter and applause.) 

Natsu-no (to Abbu). You had best keep silent, my 
girl. Our Sada hath the cunning of venerated fox. One 
needs practice to cross swords with O Sada San. 

Abbu (sarcastically) . I fear that part of my education 
has been neglected. 

Okuku (suddenly) . Can any of you make cream cheese? 

Ladies. Cream cheese? 

Okuku. Yes, cream cheese. 

KiKu. I fear not. That art is not taught in the greater 
learning of university. 

Natsu-no. And this is what is called education in Japan. 
(Exit Okuku at R.) 

Aunt P. Say, Miss 'Retta, what's all dis yere talkin' 
about ? 

Henrietta. I don't know. I can't make head or tail 
of it. But it will make an interesting story. (Makes notes.) 

Aunt P. Lawsy, I cert'ny do wish I was back in ole 
Virginny. 

Natsu-no. Come, now, let the music begin. Take your 
honorable places. 

Music. All form in pairs for dance, each zvifh long- 
stemmed chrysanthemum. A few posings are danced. Then 
enter Okuku from R. much excited. 

Okuku. Pardon interruption, but exalted guest with 



48 ABP>U SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

thirty samauri soldiers has arrived and drives to Inn of 
MilHon Welcomes. 

Enter Fuji-no, excited. 

Fuji-no. Your revels cease. Assist me, all of you. 

Natsu-no. Yes, worthy lady, we — 

Fuji-no. To your knees. I am Fuji-no, Duchess of 
imperial court. (Village persons all kofozv.) 

Maidens O illustrious ! 

Fuji-no. Where is she? Where is exalted Princess? Is 
she here? Has she been abducted? 

KiKu. Hail, exalted Duchess — 

Fuji-no. Kiku San, why are you thus dressed? Where 
is honorable Highness? Where is my daughter, Yu-giri? 

Abbu. You wish to speak to me, cousin? 

Fuji-no (kotozvs). The Princess! The gods be praised. 
You are here and safe. The gods be praised. Amairu, I 
thank thee that I arrived in time. Where is Yu-giri? 

Abbu. She was here but a moment ago. She conversed 
with peddler woman. 

Fuji-no (aghast). With peddler woman ! 'Twas Ohano, 
stealer of honorable children. (Okuku takes bamboo pole 
and exits at R.) 

Abbu. No, it was only a venerable peddler woman. 

Fuji-no. 'Twas a disguise. She sought to steal the 
Princess. 

Abbu. She enticed Yu-giri to her shop to purchase 
trinkets. 

Fuji-no. I see it all. My daughter! My little Mist of 
the Evening. She has been abducted. Call out the Samauri. 
A thousand yen to him who rescues her. Find this peddler 
woman. At once. 

Abbu. She went that way. (Points.) Come with me. 

Natsu-no. I'll inform the police. (All exeunt at R. 
except Fuji-no.) 

Fuji-no. She will be murdered. My little Yu-giri only 
child of my old age. Oh, I am accursed! (Kneels.) Shinto, 
all powerful, have mercy. Forgive humble Fuji-no. Save 
my little Mist of the Evening. I will make sacrifice. I will 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 49 

build shrine and temple. Only forgive black sin of Fuji-no 
and restore beloved daughter to supplicating arms. May 
all the gods have mercy. Forgive. Forgive. (Falls pros- 
trate, zveeping.) 

Enter Abbu from R. 

Abbu. Arise, dear cousin. Be comforted. The samauri 
are scouring the mountains. Your little A'^u-giri will he 
restored to mother-arms. Be comforted. Shinto, all pow- 
erful, send you his aid. 

Fuji-no. This morning came honorable Baron Ito to 
door of unworthy house. He asked for Yu-giri. He begged 
pardon for seeming neglect. He put fresh lime upon un- 
worthy door. He named the day for wedding with my 
Yu-giri, and now she is lost, stolen by bandit Junzo, and I 
am to blame. We thought the Baron Ito would wed with 
you. 

xA.BBU. The Baron Ito? No, my cousin. His Imperial 
Majesty hath, another suitor for me. One more to my 
capricious liking. 

Fuji-no {looking at R.). See they are returning, but no 
little Yu-giri accompanies them. Oh, she is lost. Lost to 
me forever. The god's cannot forgive. I am humbled to 
the dust. Wicked have I been, a traitor to my king and to 
my blood. But mother-love prompted me. And now she is 
lost to me . Lost to me forever. (Rocks body, wrings Jiands 
and zveeps. Abbu comforts her.) 

Enter Natsu-no, Henrietta, Aunt P., Kiku, Mat- 
SUKA, Maids. They assume positions at R. and L. of stage. 

Natsu-no. The samauri are on the trail of wicked wife 
of Junzo. They have fled to the mountains. 

Fuji-no. But what of my daughter? Speak, woman, 
what of my Yu-giri ? 

Natsu-no. It is said that unworthy Ohano had exalted 
lady as captive. 

Fuji-no. She mistook her for the Princess. Oh, I am 
justly punished. I shall never see my child again. Miser- 
able mother that I am. 



50 ABBU SAX OF OLD JAPAN. 

Natsu-no. See, some one approaches. (Looks R.) 
Umi. 'Tis Okuku. I recognize her giant figure. 
KiKU. And with her is another. It is — it is Yu-giri. 
Fuji-no. Yu-giri? My daughter still lives? 
Abbu. Your daughter lives. 

Enter Okuku, leading Yu-giri, zvhose hair is hanging 
and garments muddy and torn. 

Okuku. Does this young woman belong here? 

Fuji-no. Yu-giri, beloved Mist of the Evening. {Clasps 
her to breast.) 

Yu-giri. My honored mother! 

Sada {to Natsu-no). It seems that exalted nobility has 
come among us. 

Natsu-no. A Duchess, an exalted Duchess at my hum- 
ble inn. This is honor to hand down to my children and 
my children's children. 

Sada. And she spoke of a Princess. Perhaps the Daugh- 
ter of the Sun, Abbu San herself is here. 

Fuji-no. And where is villainous Ohano? Where is the, 
woman who dared assault the daughter of Fuji-no? 

Okuku. I think she is mending her cracked head by this 
time. I hope you will excuse, but I was excited and smote 
harder than was necessary. {Takes broom and pail.) I go 
clean honorable stables. 

Fuji-no. Hold! Tell us more of your rescue, Yu-giri. 

Yu-giri. She dragged me by force to the mountains. She 
forced me upon honorable horse and tied me with a cord. " 
We rode ever upward into the mountains. We reached 
cave dark as midnight. I was bound here. I begged for 
mercy, but there \t^as no mercy. Then I fainted. When I 
recovered this angel of goodness (points to Okuku) was 
bathing my wounds and we were homeward bound. She is 
most noble woman in all Japan. From henceforth she is 
enshrined in inmost core of honorable heart of Yu-giri. 

Fuji-no. Speak, venerated maiden, how came you to 
rescue my daughter alone? 

Okuku. I knew the ways of villainous Ohano. I fol- 
lowed her. I smote her unworthy skull and carried exalted 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 51 

maiden away. It was very simple. (Takes broom and pail.) 
I go to clean honorable stable. 

Fuji-no. You shall be rewarded as becomes the pre- 
server of the daughter of Fuji-no. Mist of the Evening, I 
bring joyful tidings. Her Imperial Highness weds not with 
honorable Ito, but with another. This morning came Baron 
Ito to my dwelling. The date of your wedding hath, been 
set. Ito is faithful. 

Yu-GiRi. The gods be praised. 

Abbu. Before we return to imperial court let us behold 
honorable fete of the chrysanthemums that we interrupted. 

Fuji-no. Your word is law exalted Princess. 

Natsu-no (to Maids). She called her exalted Princess. 
And you all dishonorably mocked at her. For shame. 

Umi. A"ou also mocked. Oh, I wonder if she will chop 
off honorable heads. (Kotozvs to 'Abbu.) Exalted one, 
forgive. 

Natsu-no (and other villagers, kotowing). Can you ever 
forgive words of foolish ones ? 

Abbu. Arise. It is seldom we have the privilege of hear- 
ing such frankness. The truth is ever refreshing, especially 
when one hears so little of it at court. 

Fuji-no (at R. zvitJi Yu-giri). Oh, your Highness! 

Abbu. Today I learned that I should not wear elegant 
gowns. To wear elegant gowns one must be a flower of 
beauty like Yasa here. 

Natsu-no (kotozvs zvitJi A^asa). Forgive, O divine 
Daughter of the Sun. Forgive. Boil us not in sweet smell- 
ing oil. Allow us to keep our honorable heads on humble 
shoulders. Forgive ! 

Okuku. Excuse, exalted one, but in hill country we have 
little learning, we only speak what is in unworthy mind. 
These maidens were unduly excited as to which would be 
chosen queen of chrysanthemums. They never meant a 
word they said. Did you maidens? Speak up! 

Maids (kotozving). Not a word. Imperial Highness. 

Abbu. Arise, all of you. Our dear cousin Yu-giri hath 
been miraculously restored. In honor of that august event, 
all are pardoned. 



52 ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 

Natsu-no. Your Imperial Highness shall select the 
queen. 

Abbu. a queen should not be without territory. So with 
the crown I bestow the largest royal farm in the hill country. 

All. O, your Highness ! 

Umi. And on wdioni does your sublimity deign to confer 
this gift of the gods? ^ 

Abbu. H it w^ere to the wittiest and most nimble of 
tongue you, my child, should receive it; but honorable wit 
alone will not suffice. (Umi retires disconcerted. Sada ^ 
comes forward, gracefully bozmng.) And if it were for 
grace in dancing, the prize would go to you. But there are 
things higher than worthy grace. (Turns to Yasa.) And 
if I awarded the prize for beauty, it should be yours; but 
you value your beauty so highly that you need no other 
prize. I choose a good maiden without vanity, without 
malice, who does her duty and who fears nothing, neither 
drunken tea-coolie nor infamous Ohano, stealer of honor- 
able children. 

Maids. It's Okuku. 

Okuku. Me? (Embarrassed.) I know not what to say. . ■ 
\Miat shall I do? What is necessary for me to do? Must 
I bow to the dust? I know not. I think I'll go and clean 
honorable stable. (Takes pail and broom.) r 

Abbu. Hold! The prize is yours. The largest royal - 
farm in the hill country. 

Okuku. Oh, forgive unworthy tears of honorable joy. ' 
My venerated mother will now be rich for life. (Kotows 
to Abbu.) My gratitude cannot find words. 

Abbu. And now for belated dance of honorable chrys- , 
anth.emums. 

(All pose for dance.) 

Finale. 

All. The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la, - • 

Breathe promise of merry sunshine, 
As we merrily dance and we sing tra la, 
We welcome the hope that they bring, tra la. 
Of summer and roses and wine. (Posturing dance.) 



ABBU SAN OF OLD JAPAN. 53 

And that's what we mean when we say that a thing 
Is welcome as flowers that bloom in the spring. 
Tra la, la, la, la, Tra la, la, la, la, 
The flow^ers that bloom in the spring. 
Tra la, la, la, la, Tra la, la, la, la, 

(Throtvs flowers at audience.) 
La, la, la, la, la, la, 

Curtain. 

Epilogue. 

Masago (coming to C). I bow and honorably waft my 
thanks. Yon have kindled the fires of joy in my heart and 
in the hearts of my sisters. I will now order the inTpeccable 
Ono to draw the curtain and the sisters will stand in the 
light of your honorable eyes as they stand in the light of 
your exalted favor. But, I pray thee, do not adulate too 
much. I shall nominate each in turn and they will person- 
ally honorably return thanks to excellent audifence. I bow. 
{Raps zvrist zmth fan.) 

Enter Ono, lazily. She strikes gong. Curtains rise, dis- 
closing all characters posed and rigid as statues. Ono goes 
here and there, arranging pose, fixing draperies, elevating 
hands. Characters all stand rigid. 

Masago {at extreme R.). My heroine, the Princess Abbu 
San. (Abbu hows to audience grace f idly.) 

The exalted Duchess, now thoroughly repentant. 

(Fuji-NO bows.) 
Mist of the Evening, betrothed to honorable Ito. (Yu- 

giri bozvs.) 
The hostess of the inn. (Natsu-no boz(.<s.) 
The ladies Kiku and Matsuka. {They bozv together.) 
The village maidens. {All bozv.) 

The sister of the ox, valiant Okuku. (Okuku bozvs.) 
The unworthy stealer of honorable children. (Oiiano 

bozvs.) 
The American lady. (Henrietta bozvs.) 
The venerated black ! 



54 ABBU SAx\ OF OLD JAPAN. 

Aunt P. Say, when is we all goin' back to ole Virginny? 
(Bows.) 

Masago. My porters. {They bozv.) And lastly, my 
maiden of the plastic countenance, now really visible to 
your august eyes. ( Ono hozvs. Masago takes place at C.) 
And now, honorable audience, we bow. {All bow.) We 
honorably salute. Augustly we embrace you! 

Slow Curtain. 



Parlor Matches 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

An engaging comedy of society, 2 acts; 4 males, 5 females. 
Time, IVz hours. Scene: 1 simple interior. Characters: Vance 
Trelford, a professional hero, who doesn't want to be engaged. 
Don Radey, his cousin, a serious j-oung man, engaged, thank you. 
i^'erdinand Poppleton, a frivolous young man, likewise engaged. 
.Torkes, the butler, who may or may not be engaged. Mrs. Seltoon, 
who believes in engagements. Margaret Seltoon, her elder daugh- 
ter, engaged to Mr. Radej'. Suzanne Seltoon, her younger daughter, 
engaged to Mr. Poppleton. Gail Lawrence, her ward, engaging 
and eventually engaged. Abigail Mullen, A. B., her maid, tem- 
porarily engaged, as it were. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — A morning in June at Solitaire Villa, Dovecote. Mrs. 
.Seltoon smooths out the course of true love. "Whoever heard 
of a grass widow playing a heroine in a love scene?" "Oh, it's 
one of the best things they do." Mrs. Seltoon seeking a man for 
her niece. "What is his yearly income?" The butler's opinion 
of a woman A. B. "Near-sighted, men's shoes, short bedrabbled 
skirts, last year's hat and a banner saying Votes for Women!" 
The new maid who is a graduate from the Splinterville Normal. 
Tlie moving picture hero. "Women make me nervous. I always 
keep out of their way." Symptoms of hydrophobia. "I bark, bow- 
wow-wow!" "His father is in oil and vinegar." "Is it a new kind 
of a batli?" Gail announces her engagement to the moving pic- 
ture hero. "He's here in town!" "Fall, O walls, and crush me!" 

Act II.— A dinner party. Perdy decides to enlist in the army. 
A reconciliation. Abigail and Adrian Lee of the movies. "Those 
eyes, that nose, it's him?" "I've seen you propose in white 
flannels, in featliers, in full evening clothes, in a sailor suit, 
and in tlie garbage of a monk, and every time you've won her in 
the end." Gail and her fiancee. That odious Mr. Trelford. Din- 
ner is served. Vance Trelford learns that he is engaged. "I ex- 
pected it all along." "Yes, I begin to think that I did it myself." 

Sewing for the Heathen 

By WALTER BEN HARE. 

Price, 15 Cents 

Entertainment for 9 ladies, either young or middle-aged. Time, 
40 minutes. Can be played on any stage or platform, or even in 
any room. Very refined. Suitable for church or any society. Char- 
acters: Mrs. Judd, the hostess. Mrs. Chester, the president. Mrs. 
R. B. Powers, the stranger. Grandma Gibbs, deaf but persistent. 
Miss Luella Huggins, so sentimental. Mrs. Strong, a suffragist. 
Mrs. Meeker, gentle and good. Mrs. Day, a bride. Meely, the 
hired girl. SYNOPSIS. 

An anxious hostess. Meely wants to serve winny-wurst sand- 
wiches and noodle soup. The mystery of the jardeniere. The 
President arrives before she is expected. "It was her hair; she 
hadn't got it all on yet." Red flannels for -the Hottentots in the 
middle of Africa. A stranger in town, tlie rich Mrs. Powers. A 
trip down town. Grandma Gibbs and her ear-trumpet. The rich 
Mrs. Powers is mistaken for the dressmaker. The meeting of the 
society. A little tiff. The giddy Miss Huggins is late as usual. 
A present from th e men. "Sewing for the Heathen." 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W, Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



The Deacon Entandled 

By HARRY OSBORNE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

Comedy in 3 acts; 6 males, 4 females. Time, 2 hours. Scene: 
1 interior. Characters: Deacon Penrose, a member in good stand- 
ing. Calvin, his nephew. Rev. Sopher, a supporter of foreign mis- 
sions Harry Baxter, a sporting writer. Rafferty, a policeman. 
A Plain Clothes Man. Mrs. Penrose. Ruth, her daughter. 
Georgie, Rev. Sopher's daughter. Katy, a maid. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — In which the Deacon finds himself in a tight corner. 
Dr. Sopher, who can coax money out of a wooden Indian. A thou- 
sand dollars for the new pipe organ. Cal arrives. A clean-up- 
clouter instead of a ministerial prospect. "Did I forget my necktie 
and button my collar in the back?" The Deticon spends a night 
out. "We won't go home until morning." 

Act II. — The raid on the gambling joint. "Why didn't you 
jump when I told you." On bail. "A thousand dollars to the Doc 
or you lose your job as Deacon; a thousand to the judge or six 
months." A sporting chance. Ready for the game. A donation 
to Foreign Missions and a double barreled courtship. The elope- 
ment. The arrest. "Come on Cal, I'll see you through." 

Act III. — The big game. Tied in the Tenth. Cal goes to the 
box. A Pinch Hitter. "Over the scoreboard." On the Deacon's 
trail — the Horse pistol — pay the fine or go to jail. A hair line 
finish. "Hold on, Copper." "Here's your thousand and here's 
your girl. Look happy and have your picture taken." A new 
son-in-law. "Bother Boarding School." 'The Deacon smiles. 

A Trial of Hearts 

By LINDSEY BARBEE. 

Price, 25 Cents 

College comedy in 4 acts; 6 males, 18 females. Time, 21^ hours. 
Scenes: 3 interiors, 1 exterior. Characters: Dudley Van Antwerp, 
a wealthy college man. Philip, his best friend. Roger, Teddy, 
Jack and Jerry, fraternity men. Mrs. "Van Antwerp, of great im- 
portance. Honor, Dudley's wife. Fourteen lively sorority girls. A 
chaperone and a maid. 

SYNOPSIS. 

Act I. — Gretchen and Jerry play Romeo and Juliet. Ted pleads 
the cause of Kappa Psi. Jack argues for Delta Chi. Dudley intro- 
duces Honor to his mother. Virginia learns of Dudley's marriage. 
"I want to go home — oh, I want to go home!" 

Act II. — Tlie football enthusiasts bring news of Barbara. 
Gretchen and Jerry study Latin and argue fraternity. Honor finds 
it all a little strange. Dudley tells Virginia his love story. "Oh, 
Dudley, you hurt me!" "There's nothing left for me but to go away!" 

Act III.— "I wonder if people ever get too busy to care!" 
Mrs. Van Antwerp opens fire and Honor stands her ground. "I 
mean to stay!" "I wish I had no heart — it aches so!" "Dear 
little girl, it is good-bye." Honor hears Dudley declare his love 
for Virginia. "Oh, Dad -Dad — your little girl is coming home!" 

Act IV. — Gretchen and Jerry "grow up." The Seniors toast 
the past, the present and the future. Mrs. A^an Antwerp reproaches 
herself. "Here comes the bride." The Kappa Psis and the Delta 
Chi holds reunions. "Honor, is it really you?" "If you want me, 
I am here." 

T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 

154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO 



DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS 

Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given 



M. F. 

Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 

Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min.... 4 2 

Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 

First-Class Hotel, 20 min. 4 

For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 

Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 
Fun in a Photograph Gallery, 

30 min 6 10 

Great Doughnut Corporation, 

30 min 3 5 

Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 

Great Pumpkin Case, 30 min.. 12 

Hans Von Smash, 30 min.... 4 3 

Happy Pair, 25 min 1 1 

I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 

Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 

Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 

Is the Editor In? 20 min... 4 2 

Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 

Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 

Mike Donovan's Courtship, 15 m. 1 3 

Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 

Mrs. Carver's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 
Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent- 'iQ 

min 3 2 

My Lord in Liverj^ 1 hr.... 4 3 

My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min.. ? 3 

My Turn Nextj 45 min < 3 

My Wife's Relations, 1 hr.... 4 6 

Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 

Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 

Only Cold Tea. 20 min 3 3 

Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 

Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 

Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 

Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 

Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. 6 3 

Regular Fix, 35 min. $ 4 

Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 

Second Childhood, 15 min.... 2 2 

Smith, the Aviator, 40 min... 2 3 

Taking Father's Place, 30 min. 5 3 

Taming a Tiger, 30 min 3 

Tliat Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 

Those Red Envelopes, 25 min. 4 4 
Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 

min 3 6 

Treasure from Egypt, 45 min . 4 1 

Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 

Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 

Two Bonnycastles, 45 min.... 3 3 

Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 

Two Ghosts in White, 20 min. . 8 

Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 

Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 2 

Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 

Wanted a Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Which Will He Marry? 20 min. 2 8 

Who Is Who? 40 min. . 3 2 

Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 3 

Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 

Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 



VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- 
OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. 

M. F. 

Ax'in' Her Father, 25 min.... 2 3 
Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.lO 
Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 

Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 

Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min. 1 1 
Coming Champion, 20 min.... 2 
Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m. 14 

Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 

Doings of a Dude, 20 min.... 2 1 

Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 

Five Minutes from Yell Col- 
lege, 1 5 min 2 

For Reform, 20 min 4 

Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min.. 2 1 
Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min. 1 1 
Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min. 2 

Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 

Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 

Home Run, 15 min 1 1 

Hot Air, 25 min 2 1 

Jumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 

Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 

Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 

Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 
Mischievous Nigger, 25 min.. 4 2 

Mistaken Miss, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 

Mr. Badger's Ujjpers, 40 min. 4 2 
One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 
Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min.. 4 

Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 

Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10 

min 1 

Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 

Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2 2 
Prof. Black's Funnygraph, 15 m. 6 

Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 

Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 

Si and I, 15 min.. 1 

Special Sale, 15 min 2 

Stage Struck Darky, 10 min.. 2 1 
Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 

Time Table, 20 min . 1 1 

Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 
Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 
Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 
Two Jay Detectives, 15 min.. 3 
Umbrella Mender, 15 min.... 2 
Uncle Bill at the Vaudeville. 

15 min 1 

Uncle Teff, 25 min 5 2 

Who Gits de Reward? 30 min. 5 1 

A great number of 

Standard and Amateur Plays 

not found here are listed in 

Denison's Catalogue 



T.S.DENISON&COMPANY,PublishersJ54W. Randolph St.. Chicago 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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015 907 620 9 f 

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 

Price, Jllustrated. Paper Covers, 25 cents each 



I , I rnctsocnrrt i > 

li LITiTLE PEOPirS 
'^^ ' TLAYS/'- 




T.S.DENISON^B 
& COMPANY 
PUfiUSHERS CHICAGO 



1 N this Series 
-'■ are found 
books touching 
every feature 
in the enter- 
tainment field. 
Finely made, 
good paper, 
clear print and 
each book has 
an attractive 
individual cov- 
er design. 



DIALOGUES 

AM Sorts of Dialogues. 

Selected, fine for older pupils. 
Catchy Comic Dialogues. 

Very clever; for young people. 
Children's Comic Dialogues. 

From six to eleven years of age. 
Dialogues for District Schools. 

For country schools. 
Dialogues from Dickens. 

Thirteen selections. 
The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. 

Over 50,000 copies sold. 
From Tots to Teens. 

Dialogues and recitations. 
Humorous Homespun Dialogues. 

For older ones. 
Little People's Plays. 

From 7 to 13 years of age. 
Lively Dialogues. 

For all ages; mostly humorous. 
Merry Little Dialogues. 

Thirty-eight original selections. 
When the Lessons are Over. 

Dialogues, drills, plays. 
Wide Awake Dialogues. 

Brand new, original, successful. 

SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES 

Choice Pieces for Little People. 

A child's speaker. 
The Cornic Entertainer. 

Recitations, monologues, dialogues. 
Dialect Readings. 

Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. 
The Favorite Speaker. 

Choice prose and poetry. 
The Friday Afternoon Speaker. 

For p..pils of all ages. 
Humorous Monologues. 

Particularly for ladies. 
Monologues for Young Folks. 

Clever, humorous, original. 
Mbrologues Grave and Gay. 

Dramatic and humorous. 
The Patriotic Speaker. 

Master thoughts of master m-'nds. 



The Poetical Entertainer. 

For reading or speaking. 
Pomes ov the Peepul. 

Wit, humor, satire, funny poems. 
Scrap- Book Recitations. 

Choice collections, pathetic, hu- 
morous, descriptive, prose. 
No. S 



poetry. 14 Nos., per 

DRILLS 



25c. 



The Best Drill Book. 

Very popular drills and marches. 
The Favorite Book of Drills. 

Drills that sparkle with originality. 
Little Plays With Drills. 

For children from 6 to 11 j'ears. 
The Surprise Drill Book. 

Fresh, novel, drills and marches. 

SPECIALTIES 

The Boys' Entertainer. 

Monologues, dialogues, drills. 
Children's Party Book. 

Invitations, decorations, games. 
The Days We Celebrate. 

Entertainments for all the holidays. 
Good Things for Christmas. 

Recitations, dialogues, drills. 
Good Things for Thanksgiving. 

A gem of a book. 
Good Things for Washington 

and Lincoln Birthdays. 
Little Folks' Budget. 

Easy pieces to speak, songs. 
One Hundred Entertainments. 

New parlor diversions, socials. 
Patriotic Cejebrations. 

Great variety of material. 
Pranks and Pastimes. 

Parlor games for children. 
Private Theatricals. 

How to put on plays. 
Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, 

Charades, and how to prepare. 
Tableaux and Scenic Readings. 

New and novel; for all ages. 
Twinkling Fmgers and Sway- 
ing Figures. For little tots. 
Yuletide Entertainments. 

A choice Christmas collection, " 

MINSTRELS, JOKES 

Black American Joker. 

Minstrels' and end men's gags. 
A Bundle of Burnt Cork. Comedy. 

Monologues, stump speeches, etc. 
Laughland, via the Ha-Ha Route. 

A merry trip for fun tourists. 
Negro Minstrels. 

All about the business. 
The New Jolly Jester. 

Funny stories, jokes, gags, etc. 

Large Illustrated Catalosue Free 



T,S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers,154 W. Randolph St. , Chicagi 



